Crossword Genius

Use moderate wordplay with sarcasm (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pungently

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'use moderate wordplay with sarcasm' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'wordplay with sarcasm' is the wordplay.
'wordplay' becomes 'pun' (synonyms).
'with sarcasm' becomes 'gently' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pun'+'gently'='PUNGENTLY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pungently that I've seen before include "With sarcasm!" , "caustic way" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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