BAND LOOP = ring
BEING CHAP = man
BOX CRATE = carton
BRIEFING UNKEMPT = rundown
COMBATANT JOUSTER = duelist
CONTROL COPE = manage
CUSHION HEADREST = pillow
DEAL VALUE = bargain
DIRECTLY PAYABLE = due
EXPANSE OCEAN = sea
GROUP HARDENED = set
HIGHER TOPWARD = up
LOT 2KLBS(2000 pounds) = ton
MATURE ERA = age
OOF OUCH = ow
PAINFUL AFLAME = searing
REAP INCREASE = gain
ROD SALOON = bar
ROSTER ITEMIZE = list
SPRINT OPERATE = run
TABLET CAPSULE = pill
TRAP APPARATUS = setup
UNHAPPY BOTTOMWARD = down
VEHICLE AUTO = car


To assist in coming up with these words, they come in sets of three, where two of the words can be put together to form the third. For example, bar + gain = bargain. The combined words from the eight groups can be entered in the eight lines of the center grid:

....Carton
pillOw
....Manage
....Bargain
searIng
..ruNdown
...sEtup
....Duelist


Reading down the shaded squares gives the solution: COMBINED.