as in watches
an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity
kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 vigils
The community rallied with vigils and blood drives, prayers and performances.
—
Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
The pontiff has been packing out stadiums and plazas for prayer vigils and Masses, while the Puerto Rican rapper has been holding his party-style mega-concerts in front of tens of thousands.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
The vigils started in August, organized by Noelle Damico, a United Church of Christ minister, to bear witness and bring attention to the inhumane conditions at the facility.
—Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Her remains were found in a drainage ditch Saturday, a week after her disappearance, as vigils in her home province erupted into clashes with police.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Dozens of civil society groups disbanded, including the one that organized the vigils.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
The shooting sparked protests and vigils outside the store in the days following Cyrus’ death.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
For more than 40 weeks, volunteers from Southwest Florida have gathered each and every Sunday outside the controversial immigrant detention center for the vigils.
—Joshua Ceballos, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Video of the encounter quickly garnered international news coverage and circulated on social media, resulting in countless vigils and memes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
The pontiff has been packing out stadiums and plazas for prayer vigils and Masses, while the Puerto Rican rapper has been holding his party-style mega-concerts in front of tens of thousands.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
The vigils started in August, organized by Noelle Damico, a United Church of Christ minister, to bear witness and bring attention to the inhumane conditions at the facility.
—Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Her remains were found in a drainage ditch Saturday, a week after her disappearance, as vigils in her home province erupted into clashes with police.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Dozens of civil society groups disbanded, including the one that organized the vigils.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
The shooting sparked protests and vigils outside the store in the days following Cyrus’ death.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
For more than 40 weeks, volunteers from Southwest Florida have gathered each and every Sunday outside the controversial immigrant detention center for the vigils.
—Joshua Ceballos, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Video of the encounter quickly garnered international news coverage and circulated on social media, resulting in countless vigils and memes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils
Noun
-
Intense downpours, hail and thunderstorms continued Thursday, with the weather service issuing tornado watches or warnings for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
In certain circles, Nelson Holdo was the go-to guy for fine jewelry and luxury watches.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
What to see today There are plenty of hikes and lookouts throughout the park, from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater to the petroglyph field, featuring ancient rock carvings, along the Chain of Craters Road.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
With their panoramic vistas of Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range, alpine lakes, and evergreen forests, the park’s four historic fire lookouts—Mount Fremont, Shriner Peak, Gobbler’s Knob, and Tolmie Peak—deliver some of the best views.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
