Crossword Genius

Strike briefly, like this politician (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thump

'strike' is the definition.
(both can mean to hit)

'briefly like this politician' is the wordplay.
'briefly' means to remove the last letter.
'like this' becomes 'thus' (I've seen this before).
'politician' becomes 'MP' (Member of Parliament).
'thus' with its final letter removed is 'thu'.
'thu'+'mp'='THUMP'

(Other definitions for thump that I've seen before include "Pound" , "Hit hard" , "Dull heavy sound" , "Say" , "Punch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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