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
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Recent Examples of vigils
In other Haitian communities across the country, activists have been lobbying lawmakers and holding news conferences and prayer vigils to garner support.
—
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Many of those at the vigils were young college students, a testament to his massive fanbase on college campuses.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Numerous vigils were held across the Valley after his death, including at his organization, Turning Point USA in Phoenix.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Cox also called for restraint in reaction to Kirk’s assassination, noting that residents of Utah did not riot or loot or engage in violence, and instead held vigils and said prayers.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The community is likely to hold vigils and support gatherings for students and families, even as broader debates over school safety, gun access and mental health resurface—issues that will shape how Evergreen and Colorado respond to yet another school shooting.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The Minneapolis community gathered at multiple vigils on Wednesday evening to mourn the lives lost in the act of gun violence, according to CNN coverage.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Many of those at the vigils were young college students, a testament to his massive fanbase on college campuses.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Numerous vigils were held across the Valley after his death, including at his organization, Turning Point USA in Phoenix.
—Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Cox also called for restraint in reaction to Kirk’s assassination, noting that residents of Utah did not riot or loot or engage in violence, and instead held vigils and said prayers.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
The community is likely to hold vigils and support gatherings for students and families, even as broader debates over school safety, gun access and mental health resurface—issues that will shape how Evergreen and Colorado respond to yet another school shooting.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The Minneapolis community gathered at multiple vigils on Wednesday evening to mourn the lives lost in the act of gun violence, according to CNN coverage.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils
Noun
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Maxi sailboats have been competing for bragging rights and very special Rolex watches in Porto Cervo for 35 years.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Rather than pocket the savings, travelers are splashing out on their visits, spending more on things like watches and jewelry, according to research undertaken by the Japan Tourism Agency.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Excavating wetlands, as various studies have suggested, would yield soil that could be mounded into sound-blocking berms, as at Brooklyn Bridge Park; lookouts, as on Governors Island; and undulating grasslands like those at Freshkills.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
9 Sep. 2025
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Outdoor enthusiasts can book a horseback ride or guided hikes through Cocora Valley that lead to hidden lookouts.—
Boris Seckovic,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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