Experienced a surprise attack and am exhausted (8)
I believe the answer is:
ambushed
'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" .)