Crossword Genius

Bizarre, using laser around ancient city (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

surreal

'bizarre' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'using laser around ancient city' is the wordplay.
'using' indicates an anagram (the letters used in a different way).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'ancient city' becomes 'ur' (ancient Sumerian city state).
'laser' with letters rearranged gives 'sreal'.
'sreal' placed around 'ur' is 'SURREAL'.

(Other definitions for surreal that I've seen before include "Odd" , "Weird; dreamlike" , "Dreamlike, irrational" , "Dreamlike, bizarre" , "Dreamlike - Dali-like" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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