Crossword Genius

Answer like an agent? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reply

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'answer' is the definition.
(I know that answer can be written as reply)

'like an agent?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'ly' (similar in meaning) and 'ly' is located in the answer.
'agent?' could be 'rep' (short for representative) and 'rep' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reply that I've seen before include "Retort" , "response is demanded" , "acknowledgement" , "Answer, respond" , "Come back" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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