Some hold refusal to be irritating (5)
I believe the answer is:
annoy
'be irritating' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'some hold refusal' is the wordplay.
'some' becomes 'any' (similar in meaning).
'hold' indicates putting letters inside.
'refusal' becomes 'no' (it's a no).
'any' placed around 'no' is 'ANNOY'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for annoy that I've seen before include "Make slightly angry" , "Displease" , "be a nuisance" , "Irritate, needle" , "Irritate - pester" .)