Crossword Genius

Sentence like wordplay? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

punish

'sentence' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'like wordplay?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'ish' (similar in meaning) and 'ish' is found within the answer.
'wordplay?' could be 'pun' ('pun' can be a synonym of 'wordplay') and 'pun' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for punish that I've seen before include "exact retribution" , "Penalise" , "Impose penalty for crime or misbehaviour" , "Like wordplay in speech" , "Cause to suffer for an offence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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