Crossword Genius

Thus resistance precedes quarrel and sadness (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sorrow

'sadness' is the definition.
('sorrow' can be a synonym of 'sadness')

'thus resistance precedes quarrel' is the wordplay.
'thus' becomes 'so' ('so' can be a synonym of 'thus').
'resistance' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'precedes' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'quarrel' becomes 'row' ('row' can be a synonym of 'quarrel').
'so'+'r'+'row'='SORROW'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for sorrow that I've seen before include "Deep sadness" , "'One magpie for ..., two for joy (6)'" , "Sadness,regret" , "Lamenting" , "Woe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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