Crossword Genius

Somehow rile woman, then soothe (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relieve

'soothe' is the definition.
(relieve can mean to soothe)

'somehow rile woman' is the wordplay.
'somehow' indicates an anagram.
'woman' becomes 'Eve' (Eve is an example).
'rile' is an anagram of 'reli'.
'reli'+'eve'='RELIEVE'

'then' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for relieve that I've seen before include "Alleviate 9pain)" , "Comfort" , "Alleviate, assuage" , "Set free" , "Alleviate (eg, pain)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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