vigils

plural of vigil
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

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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 vigils symbolized the civil liberties that set Hong Kong apart from mainland China. Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026 The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China. Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026 Flags appeared on porches that had never flown them, lines formed at blood banks, donations poured into relief funds, and people of every background stood together at candlelight vigils and interfaith services. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 This Friday, the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance who organized those vigils — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — will be sentenced for incitement to subversion. Rowena He, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026 In the days after 9/11, people around the world held vigils in solidarity with the United States. Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026 Candlelight vigils were held in several places in Kathmandu in memory of the people who lost their lives during the flooding. ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 Across Indiana this weekend, there were dozens of vigils and other demonstrations aimed at protesting ICE's detention of immigrants at Miami Correctional Facility. Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 31 Aug. 2026 Their parents have likely taken them for vigils at other congregants’ houses. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils
Noun
  • Hawaii residents and visitors should continue monitoring forecasts and any watches or warnings that may be issued as Lowell approaches the islands, the hurricane center said.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Cohen, who specializes in vintage watches and jewelry, has been a Broadway Antique Market fixture from the start, following Cerny and Nelson to Edgewater from their previous storefront.
    Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Brunton told The Times that the county was launching a pilot program (somewhat literally) to use helicopters as fire lookouts.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hiking trails lead to lookouts, while paddleboards allow for spontaneous exploration of the private island's coastline.
    CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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