Rise initially spoken of as ridiculous (4)

I believe the answer is:

soar

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'rise' is the definition.
(I know that soar is a type of rise)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for soar that I've seen before include "Rise to a great height" , "Fly high into the air" , "Increase rapidly" , "Ascend, fly upwards" , "take to the air" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sun.

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