vigil

noun

ˈvi-jəl How to pronounce vigil (audio)
Definition of vigilnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vigil An emotional vigil was held in Garfield, New Jersey, on Thursday to remember two children who died after being swept into the Passaic River. — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Beyond her weekly public vigil, Lyman planned news conferences. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Sandra Salazar, who arrived at Wilson Creek shortly after the ICE operation began, spoke at the vigil about her experience and attended the training. — Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026 Flowers and candles laid at a memorial site for Lopez-Cornejo during a vigil at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
  1. watch
  2. surveillance
Noun
  • Millions across the Midwest remain under flood watches early Friday as additional bouts of rain sweep through the flooded region where even modest rainfall could cause new problems.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • OpenAI sees talent exodus watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
    — Kate Rooney, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of watch
Noun
  • Detectives are reviewing additional surveillance videos for more leads.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Equity means ensuring every child has access to what research tells us supports learning, not flooding classrooms with surveillance technology that produces cognitive and emotional debt that will disproportionately harm students of color.
    — Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of surveillance

Browse Nearby Words

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vigil
vigilance
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Cite this Entry

“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vigil

Nglish: Translation of vigil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vigil

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