Crossword Genius

Convincingly firm without using force (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cogently

'convincingly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'firm without using force' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'without using force' becomes 'gently' (gently does it).
'co'+'gently'='COGENTLY'

(Other definitions for cogently that I've seen before include "with force" , "Persuasively, convincingly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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