Crossword Genius

Side by side, having run into a depraved individual (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abreast

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'side by side' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'run into a depraved individual' is the wordplay.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'depraved individual' becomes 'beast' (beast is a kind of individual. I am not sure about the 'depraved' bit.).
'a'+'beast'='abeast'
'r' put into 'abeast' is 'ABREAST'.

'having' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abreast that I've seen before include "Side by side; keeping pace" , "Level or keeping pace with" , "Side by side - in the picture" , "Familiar" , "Well-informed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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