Some found needlessly lying in a cunning way (5)

I believe the answer is:

slyly

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'some found needlessly lying in a cunning way' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'some found needlessly lying in' is the wordplay.
'some found' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'SLYLY' is hidden within 'needlessly lying in'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slyly that I've seen before include "in underhand way" , "In a stealthy and secret way" , "In a cunning manner" , "Craftily, cunningly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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