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Stronger and less slovenly (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

neater

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

'and less slovenly' is the wordplay.
'and' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and').
'less slovenly' becomes 'eater' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'n'+'eater'='NEATER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neater that I've seen before include "More tidy and orderly" , "More spick and span" , "straighter" , "Tidier" , "More tidy and uncluttered" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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