vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē 

: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate)

broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice

vigilantism

ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-ˌti-zəm 

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.

Synonyms of vigilante

• nemesis
• avenger
• punisher

Examples of vigilante in a Sentence

the danger of these self-appointed vigilantes is that they sometimes go after innocent people

Recent Examples on the Web

On the surface, Goldhaber and Mazzei’s latest is a vigilante crime thriller about a content moderator (Barbie Ferreira) who is busy hunting a web-obsessed serial killer (Dacre Montgomery). —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026

Schreier also teased what might be in store for fans of the vigilante heroes. —Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026

Vigilante groups under scrutiny On the increase since 2023, vigilante groups like the Jean Denis Coalition are increasingly coming under scrutiny. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

Around 2023, vigilante groups began to emerge in the Caribbean nation to strike back against gangs sucking the life from Haiti. —ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vigilante

• chianti
• ante
• anti
• auntie
• canty
• fanti
• grantee
• panty
• scanty
• shanty

Kids Definition

vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvij-ə-ˈlant-ē 

: a member of a group of volunteers who decide on their own to stop crime and to punish criminals