as in watch
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity
kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital
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Recent Examples of vigil
In Tel Aviv, a group of Israelis holds a series of silent vigils to protest their country’s murder of children in Gaza.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
On Friday night, pro-Iranian regime attendees of a vigil for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei clashed with counterprotesters in an incident that left three individuals detained.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
Chaos erupted in Washington Square Park in Manhattan as a vigil mourning the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei descended into violence Friday, with video capturing a man being pummeled to the ground while attempting to tear down a poster of the late Iranian leader.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, at a vigil organized by Mothers United Against Violence, Johnson arrived and offered a prayer.
—Mariana Navarrete Villegas, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
On Friday night, pro-Iranian regime attendees of a vigil for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei clashed with counterprotesters in an incident that left three individuals detained.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Mar. 2026
Chaos erupted in Washington Square Park in Manhattan as a vigil mourning the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei descended into violence Friday, with video capturing a man being pummeled to the ground while attempting to tear down a poster of the late Iranian leader.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026
On Wednesday, at a vigil organized by Mothers United Against Violence, Johnson arrived and offered a prayer.
—Mariana Navarrete Villegas, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
Noun
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Yet his name continues to be stamped onto everything — Bibles, sneakers, watches, mobile phones and the Epstein files.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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Farmers take great care of the creatures under their watch.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Investigators used surveillance footage and GPS data from Harmon’s vehicle to place him at the scene, officials said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
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The union claimed that the company wants to eliminate more than 100 jobs, cut salaries, and install AI surveillance systems.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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