Crossword Genius

Dispute reaches many regulars (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gainsay

'dispute' is the definition.
(I know that dispute can be written as gainsay)

'reaches many regulars' is the wordplay.
'reaches' becomes 'gains' ('gain' can be a synonym of 'reach').
'regulars' indicates alternate letters.
The alternate letters of 'many' are 'ay'.
'gains'+'ay'='GAINSAY'

(Other definitions for gainsay that I've seen before include "Contradict, deny, dispute" , "Challenge, dispute" , "Speak against" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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