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Experienced a surprise attack and am exhausted (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ambushed

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'experienced a surprise attack' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'am exhausted' is the wordplay.
'exhausted' becomes 'bushed' (bushed can informally mean exhausted).
'am'+'bushed'='AMBUSHED'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ambushed that I've seen before include "Attacked (someone) from concealment" , "Taken by surprise in war" , "surprised?)" , "taken, surprisingly" , "Lay in wait and waylaid" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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