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
That means praying at protests, helping transgender people transition, standing vigil outside of immigration court hearings and even accompanying people inside those hearings if asked.
—
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Family members held a vigil in Lompoc on Friday near the home where investigators first went to look for Melodee, according to The Lompoc Record.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
On Friday night, about 20 people, including Police Chief Ray Sweeney and other officers, gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Pink Rose Cafe in downtown La Mesa to honor the officer.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
The vigil was held by the Interfaith Coalition of the Treasure Valley, at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Family members held a vigil in Lompoc on Friday near the home where investigators first went to look for Melodee, according to The Lompoc Record.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
On Friday night, about 20 people, including Police Chief Ray Sweeney and other officers, gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Pink Rose Cafe in downtown La Mesa to honor the officer.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
The vigil was held by the Interfaith Coalition of the Treasure Valley, at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
Noun
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If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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Sotheby’s estimated nearly a third of its watch sales in 2023 went to buyers age 30 and under, giving them priceless social currency.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Privacy and civil liberties advocates also warn these surveillance tools represent a grave threat and say there is not a sufficient regulatory framework in place or oversight to ensure federal agents are using new technologies in a way that protects privacy and constitutional rights.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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In short, Australia is developing an autonomous underwater surveillance network using local technology and ship platforms to monitor its northern approaches more effectively.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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