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
In its sophomore season, Cross is in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
It was originally designed to target vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Peaceful Civil Rights-era marches and protests often turned into bloody, brutal and murderous affairs, fueled by inhumane law enforcement tactics and vigilantes operating with impunity.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
But at the same time, law and order has significantly eroded with a troubling spike in vigilante lynchings and mob violence, as well as the abuse and online doxing of women in particular.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
It was originally designed to target vigilante groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Peaceful Civil Rights-era marches and protests often turned into bloody, brutal and murderous affairs, fueled by inhumane law enforcement tactics and vigilantes operating with impunity.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
But at the same time, law and order has significantly eroded with a troubling spike in vigilante lynchings and mob violence, as well as the abuse and online doxing of women in particular.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
-
Caleb Landry Jones stars as the titular bloodsucker, while Christoph Waltz plays his nemesis in Van Helsing.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And while Warriors nemesis LeBron James is expected to play for the Lakers, his teammate Luka Doncic will likely be out after injuring his hamstring on Thursday against the 76ers.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of that first half hour, he has been unmasked as the bloody avenger of the backyard.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 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 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
