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
Schreier also teased what might be in store for fans of the vigilante heroes.
—
Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Vigilante groups under scrutiny On the increase since 2023, vigilante groups like the Jean Denis Coalition are increasingly coming under scrutiny.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Around 2023, vigilante groups began to emerge in the Caribbean nation to strike back against gangs sucking the life from Haiti.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The vigilantes who hanged her were self-serving cattlemen.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Vigilante groups under scrutiny On the increase since 2023, vigilante groups like the Jean Denis Coalition are increasingly coming under scrutiny.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Around 2023, vigilante groups began to emerge in the Caribbean nation to strike back against gangs sucking the life from Haiti.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The vigilantes who hanged her were self-serving cattlemen.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
-
Magyar’s journey from an Orbán loyalist to his nemesis was swift.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The prosthetic arm belonging to Commandant Spangler (Daniel von Bargen), Francis' Marlin Academy nemesis, is also in the clutter.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But as all the world knows, Edmond Dantès did rise again, transformed from an innocent young sailor into that courtly yet implacable avenger, the Count of Monte Cristo.—
Michael Dirda,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
-
And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
