Contradict article in spirit, perhaps (7)
I believe the answer is:
gainsay
'contradict' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'article in spirit perhaps' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'a' (the indefinite article in English).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'spirit' becomes 'gin' (alcoholic spirit).
'perhaps' becomes 'say' (both can mean 'for example').
'a' going inside 'gin' is 'gain'.
'gain'+'say'='GAINSAY'
(Other definitions for gainsay that I've seen before include "Contradict, deny, dispute" , "Speak against" , "Challenge, dispute" .)