Crossword Genius

Around motorway, shocking periods anticipated (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

promised

'anticipated' is the definition.
('promise' can be a synonym of 'anticipate')

'around motorway shocking periods' is the wordplay.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'motorway' becomes 'm'.
'shocking' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'periods' anagrammed gives 'proised'.
'm' put into 'proised' is 'PROMISED'.

(Other definitions for promised that I've seen before include "swore" , "Undertook (to do something)" , "Gave one's word, pledged" , "Betrothed" , "Made a commitment to do" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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