Crossword Genius

Hard ware finally in free style (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

steely

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

'ware finally in free style' is the wordplay.
'finally' says to take the final letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'free' indicates an anagram.
The final letter of 'ware' is 'e'.
'style' anagrammed gives 'stely'.
'e' placed within 'stely' is 'STEELY'.

(Other definitions for steely that I've seen before include "Inflexibly severe" , "Coldly determined" , "Obdurate" , "Ruthless" , "Determined; severe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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