Crossword Genius

Sleeping with Rod upset male social worker (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dormant

'sleeping' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'rod upset male social worker' is the wordplay.
'upset' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'male' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'social worker' becomes 'ant' (ants are social insects).
'rod' written backwards gives 'dor'.
'dor'+'m'+'ant'='DORMANT'

'with' is the link.

(Other definitions for dormant that I've seen before include "Sleeping or inactive, say volcano" , "Inert" , "Temporarily quiet" , "Sluggish" , "asleep" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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