Bear stopped short outside old city (6)
I believe the answer is:
endure
'bear' is the definition.
('endure' can be a synonym of 'bear')
'stopped short outside old city' is the wordplay.
'stopped' becomes 'ended' ('end' can be a synonym of 'stop').
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'outside' is an insertion indicator.
'old city' becomes 'ur' (ancient city state).
'ended' with its final letter taken off is 'ende'.
'ende' going around 'ur' is 'ENDURE'.
(Other definitions for endure that I've seen before include "Remain in existence; suffer" , "Undergo hardship patiently" , "Last or bear with courage" , "Suffer, tolerate" , "Last or suffer patiently" .)