refusenik

or re·fus·nik

[ ri-fyooz-nik ]

/ rɪˈfyuz nɪk /

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noun Informal.

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

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Origin of refusenik

1970–75; refuse¹ + -nik, perhaps translation of Russian otkáznik (unless the Russ word is itself a translation of refusenik)

Words nearby refusenik

refund annuity, refurb, refurbish, refusal, refuse, refusenik, refutable, refutation, refutative, refute, reg

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use refusenik in a sentence

Those who are immunized make life safer for the refuseniks, even if they show no appreciation.
NIH innovators who helped develop coronavirus vaccines get top prizes at the Sammies awards for federal workers|Joe Davidson|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
You, dear reader and refusenik, will likely be called a cynic or a sad sack by friends.
The Refuseniks Hiding From ‘Happy New Year’|Lizzie Crocker|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I envy my refusenik friends their steadfast commitments to stay in, and contentment in doing so.
The Refuseniks Hiding From ‘Happy New Year’|Lizzie Crocker|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sharansky, the famed Soviet refusenik, had left the Soviet Union for Israel in 1986.
Putting The Blame On "Palestine's Democratic Deficit"|James Zogby|February 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And Netanyahu is the only one who will be able to confront these refusenik settlers.
Netanyahu is Our Man|Gershon Baskin|March 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for refusenik

refusenik

refusnik

/ (rɪˈfjuːznɪk) /

noun

(formerly) a Jew in the Soviet Union who had been refused permission to emigrate

a person who refuses to cooperate with a system or comply with a law because of a moral conviction

Word Origin for refusenik

C20: from refuse 1 + -nik

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012