as in nemesis
one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense
the danger of these self-appointed vigilantes is that they sometimes go after innocent people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 vigilante
Formed as a vigilante outfit, the group evolved into a jihadist movement enforcing strict Islamist rule across hundreds of villages in the area.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Residents can call 311 to report it, but Morales turned into a vigilante parking enforcement officer after struggling to find street parking himself.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
The populations in Akwa (also in southeastern Igboland) formed vigilante groups armed with rifles, built towers where sentinels were posted, and their shots would alert villagers if raiders came within sight.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Reuters, NBC news, 26 Dec. 2025
Residents can call 311 to report it, but Morales turned into a vigilante parking enforcement officer after struggling to find street parking himself.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
The populations in Akwa (also in southeastern Igboland) formed vigilante groups armed with rifles, built towers where sentinels were posted, and their shots would alert villagers if raiders came within sight.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Neeson also uses his size and his vigilante-movie reputation to incredible effect, adapting more of a bull-in-a-china-shop energy than Leslie Nielsen’s previous cluelessness.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
-
Musk reposted images of himself and others, like longtime nemesis Bill Gates, in bikinis.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When his evil nemesis (Penn) resurfaces after 16 years and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as father and daughter battle the consequences of his past.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When both young people meet their end the Baron saves Christina by putting Hans’ brain in Christina’s body, uniting their blurred identities in a joint thirst for revenge, creating a Gothic avenger who hunts down the aristocratic ruffians who ruined their happiness.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Kirk had been building his reputation as an imperious, right-wing avenger on college campuses, debating anyone willing to step up to the microphone to challenge him.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Montgomery has barely been in the big leagues for two months but has already put his name alongside a couple of franchise icons (and another hard-core punisher of baseballs).—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
