Crossword Genius

Encouragement sensed as sincere (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heartfelt

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

'encouragement sensed' is the wordplay.
'encouragement' becomes 'heart' (as in taking heart from something).
'sensed' becomes 'felt' (synonyms).
'heart'+'felt'='HEARTFELT'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for heartfelt that I've seen before include "Let father have deep and earnest kind of emotion (9)" , "Kindly" , "unfeigned sincerity" , "Deeply sincere" , "Most fervent in cardiac way" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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