Crossword Genius

Softly denied? Not really! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hardly

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'softly' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

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(Other definitions for hardly that I've seen before include "Not much" , "Not quite "It seems unlikely!"" , "Almost not" , "With great difficulty" , "Barely, scarcely" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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