as in nemeses
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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Recent Examples of vigilantes
Fisk is hiding in the light, and the vigilantes are hiding in the darkness, but [in this case] light does not represent anything holy or just.
—
ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Activists say the real death toll may never be known, with users and small-time peddlers gunned down almost daily in mysterious slumland killings blamed on vigilantes and turf wars.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
The two become vigilantes while running from police.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Bond vigilantes have closely watched his fate in recent weeks, and the results are expected to further fuel speculation the prime minister could be deposed by his party.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 May 2026
However, Daredevil and several of his fellow vigilantes had to go underground in order to expose Kingpin's lies.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
These TikTokers aren’t really vigilantes trying to stop people from joining Scientology; many are attempting to get viral videos and are cashing in on the trend and the meme of it all.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Yet the vigilantes went too far, and labor organizations called on the state government to intervene.
—Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 Apr. 2026
ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Activists say the real death toll may never be known, with users and small-time peddlers gunned down almost daily in mysterious slumland killings blamed on vigilantes and turf wars.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
The two become vigilantes while running from police.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Bond vigilantes have closely watched his fate in recent weeks, and the results are expected to further fuel speculation the prime minister could be deposed by his party.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 May 2026
However, Daredevil and several of his fellow vigilantes had to go underground in order to expose Kingpin's lies.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
These TikTokers aren’t really vigilantes trying to stop people from joining Scientology; many are attempting to get viral videos and are cashing in on the trend and the meme of it all.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Yet the vigilantes went too far, and labor organizations called on the state government to intervene.
—Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilantes
nemeses
Noun
-
Various nemeses and side characters enter the fray, from Jim’s archenemy (and also Insta-famous) Pavel to the scally with a sneaker-sniffing fetish who guides Jim and Lucien to their next destination.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
-
Emma Watson and Tom Felton may have played nemeses on screen, but in real-life, the Harry Potter actors were among the closest duos to come out of the franchise.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigilantes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilantes. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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