Crossword Genius

Beloved kid American brought up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sugar

'beloved' is the definition.
(both are terms of endearment)

'kid american brought up' is the wordplay.
'kid' becomes 'rag' (both can mean to tease).
'american' becomes 'US' (United States).
'brought up' is a reversal indicator (in a down clue, letters go up).
'rag'+'us'='ragus'
'ragus' backwards is 'SUGAR'.

(Other definitions for sugar that I've seen before include "White or brown sweetener" , "Cane or beet sweet stuff" , "White crystalline carbohydrate" , "Mild oath (granulated?)" , "Sweetening agent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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