Crossword Genius

Thus working shortly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soon

'shortly' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'thus working' is the wordplay.
'thus' becomes 'so' (synonyms).
'working' becomes 'on' (on can mean working or activated).
'so'+'on'='SOON'

(Other definitions for soon that I've seen before include "Presently" , "In a little while" , "Before long" , "in a minute" , "Willingly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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