Crossword Genius

The first act, you say, with this friend found haptically (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tactually

'haptically' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'the first act you say with this friend' is the wordplay.
'first' suggests taking the first letters.
'you say' becomes 'u' ('you' as it sounds).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'this friend' becomes 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter).
The initial letter of 'the' is 't'.
't'+'act'+'u'+'ally'='TACTUALLY'

'found' is the link.

(Other definitions for tactually that I've seen before include "in a touching way" , "get by touch" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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