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
Lisa Contreras, who worked with Savannah at News 4 Tucson, helped plan the vigil.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Supporters organized a vigil and raised $300,000 that kept the family and business afloat while the shop was closed — and paid legal bills.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
As the search for Guthrie continues, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil to offer their support and prayers for her family.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The Today show host recounted how her eldest child, daughter, Mila, comforted her during a candlelight vigil held in honor of co-host Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, Nancy.
—Tessa Petak, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Supporters organized a vigil and raised $300,000 that kept the family and business afloat while the shop was closed — and paid legal bills.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
As the search for Guthrie continues, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil to offer their support and prayers for her family.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The Today show host recounted how her eldest child, daughter, Mila, comforted her during a candlelight vigil held in honor of co-host Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, Nancy.
—Tessa Petak, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
Noun
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The note also had details about a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple watch.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Community members have organized visible school watches to ensure families are not isolated or caught alone in moments of fear.—
Marilyn Carlson Nelson,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The state’s case against Anthony Bell-Johnson will be built on little beyond grainy surveillance video, detectives’ speculation and questionable cellphone data, the defense forecast to the jury on Tuesday.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
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Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood, reviewing surveillance footage and analyzing digital data, including cellphone information, according to Arizona police.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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