1. a person who refuses to submit to an authority or comply with a regulation
Usage: formal
2. a Roman Catholic who refused to attend Church of England services
Usage: historical; British

1. refusing to submit to an authority or comply with a regulation
Usage: formal

Examples

• The recusant refused to follow the new company policies.
• Historical records show many recusants faced heavy fines for their beliefs.
• She maintained a recusant attitude toward the school’s dress code.
• The government imposed penalties on recusant families during that period.
• His recusant behavior made him unpopular with the administration.
• Many recusants practiced their faith in secret to avoid persecution.