Crossword Genius

Initially pop up with favourite dummy (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

puppet

'dummy' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'initially pop up with favourite' is the wordplay.
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'favourite' becomes 'pet' ('pet' can be a synonym of 'favourite').
The first letter of 'pop' is 'p'.
'p'+'up'+'pet'='PUPPET'

(Other definitions for puppet that I've seen before include "Doll on a string or rod" , "Toy (with strings attached?)" , "See 20" , "Manipulated figure" , "Small doll on strings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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