1. a person who refuses to comply with official demands or expectations, especially one who refuses military service or emigration restrictions
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to Soviet Jews

Examples

• The refusnik was denied permission to leave the country for several years.
• Many refusniks faced persecution for their resistance to government policies.
• He became a refusnik after refusing to serve in the military on moral grounds.
• Soviet refusniks often lost their jobs and faced social isolation.
• The documentary featured interviews with former refusniks who eventually emigrated.
• As a refusnik, she was barred from certain professions and educational opportunities.