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
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Recent Examples of vigilante
The Ivy League graduate and former high school valedictorian has since become a polarizing public figure, viewed by some as a vigilante and others as a cold and calculated murderer.
—
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
After 15 years in Isfahan, Iran, one of his sisters and her children are being forced back to Afghanistan due to mass deportations and vigilante violence against Afghans in that country — including legal residents.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2013, lime growers founded and led Mexico’s biggest vigilante movement.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again picked up years later, with Cox's titular blind lawyer vigilante battling D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk, a.k.a.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
After 15 years in Isfahan, Iran, one of his sisters and her children are being forced back to Afghanistan due to mass deportations and vigilante violence against Afghans in that country — including legal residents.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2013, lime growers founded and led Mexico’s biggest vigilante movement.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again picked up years later, with Cox's titular blind lawyer vigilante battling D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk, a.k.a.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
Noun
-
Musk reposted images of himself and others, like longtime nemesis Bill Gates, in bikinis.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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When his evil nemesis (Penn) resurfaces after 16 years and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as father and daughter battle the consequences of his past.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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 10 Jan. 2026.
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