Active in stirring up evil to a silly end (6)

I believe the answer is:

lively

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'active' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'stirring up evil to a silly end' is the wordplay.
'stirring up' indicates an anagram.
'to a' becomes 'l' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'end' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'silly' is 'y'.
'evil' anagrammed gives 'live'.
'live'+'l'+'y'='LIVELY'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lively that I've seen before include "Full of zest and energy" , "Full of fun" , "Active" , "Animated" , "Full of zest or vigour" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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