Refusenik

Quick meaning: Refusenik is a noun meaning (Soviet Union, historical, slang) One of the citizens of the former Soviet Union who was refused permission to emigrate (typically but not exclusively a Jewish citizen denied permission to immigrate to Israel).

Meaning

(Soviet Union, historical, slang) One of the citizens of the former Soviet Union who was refused permission to emigrate (typically but not exclusively a Jewish citizen denied permission to immigrate to Israel).

More Meanings

1. (by extension, informal) A person who refuses to do something, usually as a protest; for example, one who refuses conscription or vaccination.

Example Sentences

The refuseniki say they don’t want to change anything in the U.S.S.R., only leave it.

Near-synonyms: recusant, decliner, dissenter, objector, protester, defier, maverick, nonconformist, rebel, renegade

In 1974, a handful of brave Soviet Jews haunted foreign embassies in Moscow hoping for exit visas. Refuseniks, they were called; the Brezhnev Government wouldn't let them out.

Authorities are offering incentives to those slow to accept the needle. In Tel Aviv, this has meant one bar offering a 'shot for a shot.' In Bnei-Barak, a bowl of stew has been offered to get the Ultra-Orthodox refuseniks over their reservations.

Word Forms

• refuseniks
• refuseniki

Synonyms for refusenik

Depending on context, synonyms include otkaznik, refuser, recusant, decliner, dissenter, objector.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include refusnik, otkaznik, refusant, refuser, rejectee, rejecter.

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