Crossword Genius

Quietly increase applause (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

praise

'applause' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'quietly increase' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (p for piano and quiet).
'increase' becomes 'raise' (raising is a kind of increasing).
'p'+'raise'='PRAISE'

(Other definitions for praise that I've seen before include "Express approval and admiration" , "Commend or laud" , "Extol, glorify" , "Extol, laud" , "Kudos, pat on the back" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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