Crossword Genius

Thus be dependent, distressingly! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sorely

'distressingly' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'thus be dependent' is the wordplay.
'thus' becomes 'so' (synonyms).
'be dependent' becomes 'rely' (I've seen this before).
'so'+'rely'='SORELY'

(Other definitions for sorely that I've seen before include "Acutely; very much" , "Extremely, severely" , "Painfully" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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