Rasputin

American  

[ra-spyoo-tin, -tn, ruh-spoo-tyin] / ræˈspyu tɪn, -tn, rʌˈspu tyɪn /

noun

1. Grigori Efimovich c1871–1916, Siberian peasant monk who was very influential at the court of Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra.

2. any person who exercises great but insidious influence.

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Rasputin British  

/ ræˈspjuːtɪn, rasˈputin /

noun

1. Grigori Efimovich (ɡriˈɡɔrij jɪˈfiməvitʃ). ?1871–1916, Siberian peasant monk, notorious for his debauchery, who wielded great influence over Tsarina Alexandra. He was assassinated by a group of Russian noblemen

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Example Sentences

Such concerns were often based on reports from the czar’s own secret police—the Okhrana—who closely followed Rasputin and his outlandish behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Nadezhda Lokhvitskaya, who wrote under the name Teffi, was once invited to join other writers at a dinner party with Rasputin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

At Rosedale-Angelus is a favorite “only in L.A. … and Siberia” grave — that of Anna Rasputin, daughter of the “Mad Monk” who helped pull the plug on the Romanov dynasty.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

The flowing beard and hair that he kept throughout most of his life, coupled with his sometimes caustic intensity, led writers to invoke Rasputin or monasticism in describing Mr. Andre.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

She replied in a way that made Grace feel like she had introduced herself as Rasputin or Voldemort, a name that must not be said.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway