refusenik Definition
- 1a person who refuses to obey orders or comply with the law, especially as a protest
- 2a Jew in the former Soviet Union who was refused permission to emigrate to Israel
Using refusenik: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "refusenik" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The activist was a refusenik who refused to pay taxes as a form of protest.
Example
Many refuseniks were persecuted and imprisoned in the Soviet Union for their desire to emigrate to Israel.
refusenik Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for refusenik
Phrases with refusenik
Example
The Soviet refuseniks faced persecution and discrimination for their desire to leave the country.
a person who refuses to obey orders or comply with the law, especially as a protest against political oppression or injustice
Example
The activist became a political refusenik after being arrested for protesting against the government's policies.
a person who refuses to serve in the military or participate in a war, often as a form of pacifist protest
Example
The draft refuseniks were arrested and imprisoned for their refusal to participate in the war.
Origins of refusenik
from Russian 'otkaznik', meaning 'one who refuses'
Summary: refusenik in Brief
'Refusenik' [ri-fyooz-nik] refers to a person who refuses to obey orders or comply with the law, especially as a form of protest. It also refers to Jews in the former Soviet Union who were denied permission to emigrate to Israel. Synonyms include 'dissident,' 'rebel,' and 'nonconformist.' Examples of usage include 'The activist was a refusenik who refused to pay taxes as a form of protest,' and 'Many refuseniks were persecuted and imprisoned in the Soviet Union for their desire to emigrate to Israel.'
