Crossword Genius

Laid back about S & M? How dreary! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dismal

'dreary' is the definition.
(I know that dreary can be written as dismal)

'laid back about s m?' is the wordplay.
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'laid' in reverse letter order is 'dial'.
's'+'m'='sm'
'dial' enclosing 'sm' is 'DISMAL'.

'how' is the link.

(Other definitions for dismal that I've seen before include "pitifully bad" , "Very disappointing" , "Showing gloom, dreary" , "Sad and dreary" , "Dull and dreary" .)

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