refusenikPronunciation: /rɪˈfjuːznɪk/Definition of refusenik noun 1a Jew in the former Soviet Union who was refused permission to emigrate to Israel. 2a person who refuses to follow orders or obey the law, especially as a protest. Origin: 1970s: from refuse1 + -nikrefusenik in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of refusenik in the US English dictionary