vigilante
noun
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The Meaning and Origin of Vigilante
Vigilante entered English in the 19th century, borrowed from the Spanish word of the same spelling which meant “watchman, guard” in that language. The Spanish word can be traced back to the Latin vigilare, meaning “to keep awake.” The earliest use of the word in English was to refer to a member of a vigilance committee, a committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily, as when the processes of law appear inadequate. The word may often be found in an attributive role, as in the phrases “vigilante justice,” or “vigilante group.” In this slightly broadened sense it carries the suggestion of the enforcement of laws without regard to due process or the general rule of law.
Examples of vigilante in a Sentence
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Sliwa, who is best known as the founder of the subway-vigilante group the Guardian Angels, previously ran for mayor, in 2021, and lost to Eric Adams by nearly forty points.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Wiener introduced the bill, citing the growing number of vigilante and impersonation cases that had eroded trust in police.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
In January 1908, townspeople in Live Oak, California, formed a vigilante group and drove Indian laborers from town, stealing money from them in the process.
—Literary Hub, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Cite this Entry
“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vigilante. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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vigilante
noun
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