Crossword Genius

Cunningly, in a silly way! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slily

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'cunningly' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'silly way' is the wordplay.
'way' indicates anagramming the letters (another way of arranging the letters).
'silly' is an anagram of 'SLILY'.

'in a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for slily that I've seen is " in a crafty manner".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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