Crossword Genius

Former spouse to lie about banishment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exile

'banishment' is the definition.
(exile is a kind of banishment)

'former spouse to lie about' is the wordplay.
'former spouse' becomes 'ex' (an ex-spouse).
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'lie' is an anagram of 'ile'.
'ex'+'ile'='EXILE'

(Other definitions for exile that I've seen before include "Person absent from home or country" , "forced to leave" , "Overseas banishment" , "Person who now lives in another country" , "Drive away" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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