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
Many years after my military service, during the final days of my father’s life, my large family kept vigil beside him.
—
Steve S. Medeiros,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Hundreds of people stood in line for hours to give blood, and people held candles and hugged strangers at vigils.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
The pontiff has been packing out stadiums and plazas for prayer vigils and Masses, while the Puerto Rican rapper has been holding his party-style mega-concerts in front of tens of thousands.
—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Leo also spoke in Catalan, more than initially foreseen, during the prayer vigil that featured a question-and-answer session with young adults.
—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Steve S. Medeiros,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Hundreds of people stood in line for hours to give blood, and people held candles and hugged strangers at vigils.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
The pontiff has been packing out stadiums and plazas for prayer vigils and Masses, while the Puerto Rican rapper has been holding his party-style mega-concerts in front of tens of thousands.
—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Leo also spoke in Catalan, more than initially foreseen, during the prayer vigil that featured a question-and-answer session with young adults.
—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigil
Noun
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The women, who also wore Mexico jerseys, were planning to attend the watch party.
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The devices were hidden in a pack of cigarettes, the informant’s watch, and a cellphone.
Noun
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Sometime before the murder Gonzalez was seen on surveillance video footage moving interior cameras.
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The court was also shown a surveillance video from a day before the hearing where Porter was seen attacking a juvenile court staffer and trying to escape.
Cite this Entry
“Vigil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigil. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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