refusenik

or re·fus·nik

[ ri-fyooz-nik ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a Soviet citizen, usually Jewish, who was denied permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union.

refusenik

/ rɪˈfjuːznɪk /

noun

1. (formerly) a Jew in the Soviet Union who had been refused permission to emigrate
2. a person who refuses to cooperate with a system or comply with a law because of a moral conviction

Word History and Origins

Origin of refusenik¹

1970–75; refuse ¹ + -nik, perhaps translation of Russian otkáznik (unless the Russ word is itself a translation of refusenik )

Word History and Origins

Origin of refusenik¹

C20: from refuse ¹+ -nik

Example Sentences

Those who are immunized make life safer for the refuseniks, even if they show no appreciation.

From Washington Post

You, dear reader and refusenik, will likely be called a cynic or a sad sack by friends.

From The Daily Beast

I envy my refusenik friends their steadfast commitments to stay in, and contentment in doing so.

From The Daily Beast

Sharansky, the famed Soviet refusenik, had left the Soviet Union for Israel in 1986.

From The Daily Beast

And Netanyahu is the only one who will be able to confront these refusenik settlers.

From The Daily Beast