Crossword Genius

With stick, finally force waste away (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pine

'waste away' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'with stick finally force' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'stick' becomes 'pin' (synonyms).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'force' is 'e'.
'pin' put next to 'e' is 'PINE'.

(Other definitions for pine that I've seen before include "Evergreen conifer" , "Long - timber" , "Mope; tree" , "Tree, waste away" , "Yen - tree" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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