1. Soviet Jews who were denied permission to emigrate to Israel or other countries
Usage: historical; plural form
2. people who refuse to comply with a particular policy, law, or system
Usage: informal; by extension from the original meaning

Examples

• Many refuseniks waited years for permission to leave the Soviet Union.
• The famous refuseniks became symbols of the struggle for human rights.
• Some refuseniks faced harassment and lost their jobs while waiting for exit visas.
• The term refuseniks originally referred to Soviet Jews denied emigration rights.
• Modern refuseniks might refuse to participate in certain government programs.
• The protesters were labeled refuseniks by supporters of the new policy.
• Several refuseniks organized underground networks to support each other.