Reply some Americans were hoping for (6)

I believe the answer is:

answer

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reply' is the definition.
(answer is a kind of reply)

'some americans were hoping for' is the wordplay.
'ANSWER' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am uncertain how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for answer that I've seen before include "'A soft . . . . . . turneth away wrath'" , "Solution (to problem)" , "fit" , "Be satisfactory" , "Reaction to a question" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Irish News.

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