Crossword Genius

Badmouth country gent on a regular basis (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malign

'badmouth' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'country gent on a regular basis' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'mali' (Mali is an example).
'on a regular basis' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternating letters of 'gent' are 'gn'.
'mali'+'gn'='MALIGN'

(Other definitions for malign that I've seen before include "Evil-natured" , "Of ill intent" , "Say unpleasant and untrue things about" , "Laming, showing malice" , "Evil in nature" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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