Crossword Genius

Finishes berating April and Adam over tendency to badmouth (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malign

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'to badmouth' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for malign that I've seen before include "run down" , "Traduce" , "Defame, vilify" , "Evil, baleful" , "Evil, malevolent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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