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
The community rallied with vigils and blood drives, prayers and performances.
—
Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
Hundreds of people stood in line for hours to give blood, and people held candles and hugged strangers at vigils.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 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
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
Hundreds of people stood in line for hours to give blood, and people held candles and hugged strangers at vigils.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 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
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
-
Changes with this advisory All coastal watches and warnings are discontinued.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
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From $170,500 While disparate inform and function, the finest motorcycles and watches are both mechanical masterworks, which is why the collaboration between horologist Richard Mille and bike-builder Brough Superior feels at once unexpected and inevitable.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 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
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Inland, Dunk Island is covered in lush rainforest, with several trails leading to lookouts, quiet beaches, and the island’s high point, Mount Kootaloo, which sits at 900 feet above sea level.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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