Synonyms of vigilante

vigilante

noun

ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē 

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

• nemesis
• avenger
• punisher
• chastiser
• scourge
• revenger
• castigator
• redresser
• righter
• requiter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• redeemer
• vindicator
• ransomer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vigilante

Bands of vigilantes went after the animals with cricket bats or swerved deliberately to run them over, but the toads continued their relentless spread. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

Appearances by the unrelenting (and scene-stealing) Frank Castle, the vigilante known as the Punisher, also demand a more accountable hero. — Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2026

Married assassin Yoo Bo Na (played by Gong Hyo Jin, who’s returning to MBC after 15 years) is back to her vigilante ways after a break, but has to evade potential discovery by her husband, an investigative journalist. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Introduced in the Daredevil series, Frank Castle is a veteran Marine who becomes a vigilante after his wife and children are murdered during a mass shooting. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026