Crossword Genius

They speak against statement of profits around State Enterprise ridiculing leaders (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gainsayers

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

'they speak against statement' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'profits around state enterprise ridiculing leaders' is the wordplay.
'profits' becomes 'gainsay' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'around' is an anagram indicator.
'leaders' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'state enterprise ridiculing' is 'ser'.
'ser' with letters rearranged gives 'ers'.
'gainsay'+'ers'='GAINSAYERS'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gainsayers that I've seen before include "They might challenge" , "Verbal opposition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app