Strapping characters interrupt haughty ingrate (5)
I believe the answer is:
tying
'strapping' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'characters interrupt haughty ingrate' is the wordplay.
'characters' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some letters or characters from the clue).
'TYING' is hidden within 'interrupt haughty ingrate'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tying that I've seen before include "Linking" , "lacing" , "Scoring the same" , "restrictive" , "Binding, fastening" .)