Crossword Genius

Worries, getting small stroke (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caress

'stroke' is the definition.
('caress' can be a synonym of 'stroke')

'worries getting small' is the wordplay.
'worries' becomes 'cares' (I've seen this before).
'getting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'cares'+'s'='CARESS'

(Other definitions for caress that I've seen before include "pet" , "Stroke lovingly" , "Stroke fondly" , "Scares into handle lovingly" , "Stoke affectionately" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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