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

Examples

• Many refusniks waited years for permission to leave the Soviet Union.
• The famous refusniks included scientists and intellectuals who faced persecution.
• Jewish refusniks often lost their jobs after applying for exit visas.
• Modern refusniks protest against mandatory vaccination policies.
• The term refusniks has expanded beyond its original Soviet context.
• Some refusniks organized underground networks to share information.