This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, March 19, 2026 (20 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
H _ _ _
First and last letters
H _ _ S
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About the answer
HUGS as a word: A close embrace, especially when charged with an emotion such as affection, joy, relief, lust, anger, aggression, compassion, and the like, as opposed to bei...; (transitive or reciprocal) To embrace by holding closely, especially in the arms.
HUGS has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since December 31, 2025.
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