Laud former spouse bringing lot back (5)
I believe the answer is:
extol
'laud' is the definition.
('extol' can be a synonym of 'laud')
'former spouse bringing lot back' is the wordplay.
'former spouse' becomes 'ex'.
'bringing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'lot' back-to-front is 'tol'.
'ex'+'tol'='EXTOL'
(Other definitions for extol that I've seen before include "Talk up" , "Praise enthusiastically" , "Praise highly, laud" , "Acclaim" , "Laud; glorify" .)