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
The Ivy League graduate and former high school valedictorian has since become a polarizing public figure, viewed by some as a vigilante and others as a cold and calculated murderer.
—
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
After 15 years in Isfahan, Iran, one of his sisters and her children are being forced back to Afghanistan due to mass deportations and vigilante violence against Afghans in that country — including legal residents.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2013, lime growers founded and led Mexico’s biggest vigilante movement.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again picked up years later, with Cox's titular blind lawyer vigilante battling D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk, a.k.a.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
After 15 years in Isfahan, Iran, one of his sisters and her children are being forced back to Afghanistan due to mass deportations and vigilante violence against Afghans in that country — including legal residents.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2013, lime growers founded and led Mexico’s biggest vigilante movement.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again picked up years later, with Cox's titular blind lawyer vigilante battling D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk, a.k.a.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
-
Still, Vegas had been a nemesis that had beaten Denver eight games in a row before the Broncos flipped that and swept in 2024.—
Greg Cote
November 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In the same vein, denim tends to be the nemesis of carry-on-only travelers.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share