Crossword Genius

To let a thousand in can cause distress (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

torment

'distress' is the definition.
(I know that torment is a type of distress)

'to let a thousand in' is the wordplay.
'let' becomes 'rent' (synonyms).
'a thousand' becomes 'M' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'rent' placed around 'm' is 'rment'.
'to'+'rment'='TORMENT'

'can cause' is the link.

(Other definitions for torment that I've seen before include "Persecute" , "Severe physical or mental suffering" , "Punish" , "Pester annoyingly" , "Inflict pain on - pester" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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