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
For a storyteller whose works revolve around complicated or slippery romances, life-altering revelations, and fateful everyday encounters, the brutality of the mafia and New York City street vigilantes feels far removed from her own.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
He is occasionally asked to comment on acts of public violence, compelled to defend the many vigilantes who have appeared in his wake.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The lines drawn were not simply between British officials and frontier vigilantes.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
But human rights lawyers argue the state is advertently validating the core grievances of the vigilantes.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
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
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
He is occasionally asked to comment on acts of public violence, compelled to defend the many vigilantes who have appeared in his wake.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The lines drawn were not simply between British officials and frontier vigilantes.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
But human rights lawyers argue the state is advertently validating the core grievances of the vigilantes.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilantes
nemeses
Noun
-
The New York Yankees continue to be the Kansas City Royals’ nemeses.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Vigilantes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilantes. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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