Crossword Genius

River in a bad way — just a brook (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rill

'a brook' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'river in a bad way' is the wordplay.
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
'in a bad way' becomes 'ill' ('in a bad way' can mean seriously ill or injured).
'r'+'ill'='RILL'

'just' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rill that I've seen before include "Flow of water" , "Burn" , "Little stream" , "Small brook" , "Brooklet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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