In tone, very discouraging, this refusal (5)

I believe the answer is:

never

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'refusal' is the definition.
The answer and definition are not the same part of speech.

'in tone very discouraging' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NEVER' is hidden within 'tone very discouraging'.

'this' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for never that I've seen before include "when hell freezes over?" , "Certainly not!" , "No way" , "Under no circumstances" , "At no time whatever" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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