How the abstinent imbibe, ironically (5)
I believe the answer is:
dryly
'how' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'abstinent imbibe ironically' is the wordplay.
'abstinent' becomes 'dry' (synonyms).
'imbibe ironically' becomes 'ly' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'dry'+'ly'='DRYLY'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for dryly that I've seen is " with frigid manner".)