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
Neighbors who never spoke before now text each other frequently, checking in, asking about ICE’s whereabouts, about protest sites, about where to donate food and money, about which restaurant needs help, about candlelight vigils.
—
Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
What public response to immigration activity looks like Multiple protests and silent vigils have taken place in Sioux Falls this past year, a few within the past month along 41st Street and in downtown.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
Journalism seniors Casey Marble and Neil Roy both work for MN Daily Media and have been reporting in the field, covering protests and vigils in Minneapolis.
—Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Back in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the local churches held vigils calling for Carlos to be brought home.
—Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
This means the same rules that apply to carrying a gun on a regular day also apply at marches, vigils, rallies and other forms of peaceful assembly.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
At least a dozen smaller protests and prayer vigils were held around the metro, and organizers said more than 700 businesses closed for the day, including dozens in greater Minnesota.
—Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
Morsy and a small group of activists held daily protest vigils outside the facility.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Organizers said the police had never been to any of the other three vigils held in Orlando last year for immigrants.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
What public response to immigration activity looks like Multiple protests and silent vigils have taken place in Sioux Falls this past year, a few within the past month along 41st Street and in downtown.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026
Journalism seniors Casey Marble and Neil Roy both work for MN Daily Media and have been reporting in the field, covering protests and vigils in Minneapolis.
—Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Back in Chester County, Pennsylvania, the local churches held vigils calling for Carlos to be brought home.
—Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
This means the same rules that apply to carrying a gun on a regular day also apply at marches, vigils, rallies and other forms of peaceful assembly.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
At least a dozen smaller protests and prayer vigils were held around the metro, and organizers said more than 700 businesses closed for the day, including dozens in greater Minnesota.
—Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
Morsy and a small group of activists held daily protest vigils outside the facility.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Organizers said the police had never been to any of the other three vigils held in Orlando last year for immigrants.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils
Noun
-
Community members have organized visible school watches to ensure families are not isolated or caught alone in moments of fear.—
Marilyn Carlson Nelson,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Drivers from the ‘60s and ‘70s, from Jack Brabham to Graham Hill and Jim Clark, were all documented to have worn and used their Breitling watches as timing devices.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These natural lookouts deliver striking sunrise and sunset light, creating scale and grandeur ideal for powerful cinematic introductions.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The other lookouts do require some experience and insider knowledge, though.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
