Crossword Genius

More like a duckling than a cygnet? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ugly

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'more' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'like a duckling than a cygnet?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'ly' (similar in meaning) and 'ly' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ug' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ugly that I've seen before include "Frightful" , "Unlovely" , "Menacing" , "Grotesque" , "Horrible" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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