The nearer one is, the greater it becomes (10)

I believe the answer is:

stinginess

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'it becomes' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for stinginess that I've seen before include "Lack of generosity" , "Parsimony" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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