Crossword Genius

Laud former spouse bringing lot back (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extol

'laud' is the definition.
(I know that laud can be written as extol)

'former spouse bringing lot back' is the wordplay.
'former spouse' becomes 'ex' (an ex-spouse).
'bringing' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'lot' reversed gives 'tol'.
'ex'+'tol'='EXTOL'

(Other definitions for extol that I've seen before include "Talk up" , "Praise enthusiastically" , "Praise highly, laud" , "Acclaim" , "Laud; glorify" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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