Crossword Genius

Upset, or excite, a run down severely (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

excoriate

'run down severely' is the definition.

'upset or excite a' is the wordplay.
'upset' indicates an anagram.
'or'+'excite'+'a'='orexcitea'
'orexcitea' is an anagram of 'EXCORIATE'.

(Other definitions for excoriate that I've seen before include "Flay" , "roast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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