Crossword Genius

Uttered like a monk with a soft spot for Kelly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

intoned

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'uttered like a monk' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a soft spot for kelly' is the wordplay.
'a soft spot' becomes 'into' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'kelly' becomes 'ned' (Ned Kelly).
'into'+'ned'='INTONED'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for intoned that I've seen before include "Recited almost monotonically" , "Said flatly" , "Chanted" , "Recited in chanting voice" , "sounded like the vicar?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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