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

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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 As the body count rises, local Inspector Jack Phatudi is drawn into a dangerous manhunt to unmask the vigilante. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025 The superhero show stars John Cena as Chris Smith, a superhero vigilante named Peacemaker, who was first introduced in 2021's The Suicide Squad. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 Ronee Blakley, meanwhile, delivers the film’s most haunting performance as a mother who drinks to forget her role in the vigilante violence that birthed Freddy’s oneiric killing spree. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025 Now the second season finds Cross in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
  • Dart won his first NFL start in a massive upset over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos’ AFC West nemesis, at MetLife Stadium in Week 4.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And Bette’s nemesis, Joan Crawford might have stuck an antique diamond deco bar brooch under her butch-shouldered fur coat in Mildred Pierce.
    Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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