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
For months, backers of the longtime immigrant-rights activist have organized regular vigils outside the Aurora detention center where Vizguerra had been held.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
In Sydney, thousands gathered at vigils the next day, mourners at Bondi laid flowers and sang prayers under the open sky.
—Kriti Gupta, Refinery29, 17 Dec. 2025
Dozens of civil society groups have also closed, including the second-largest pro-democracy party, Civic Party and a group that organized annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
On Monday night, Hanukkah celebrations across the world are turning into vigils for the 15 people killed in a deadly attack in Australia.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
The shooting brought grief across West Virginia as communities held vigils in honor of Beckstrom and Wolfe in the days after the attack.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
In the following days, as mourners organized vigils for Kirk across the country, the problem of political violence seemed only to intensify the country’s partisan divide.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Hong Kong residents have held vigils and left flowers to mourn those who were killed, amid ongoing food and shelter donations for those displaced.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Over 130 candlelight vigils were scheduled across the country to speak out in protest of what organizers say is ICE's abuse of immigrant workers.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
In Sydney, thousands gathered at vigils the next day, mourners at Bondi laid flowers and sang prayers under the open sky.
—Kriti Gupta, Refinery29, 17 Dec. 2025
Dozens of civil society groups have also closed, including the second-largest pro-democracy party, Civic Party and a group that organized annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Dec. 2025
On Monday night, Hanukkah celebrations across the world are turning into vigils for the 15 people killed in a deadly attack in Australia.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
The shooting brought grief across West Virginia as communities held vigils in honor of Beckstrom and Wolfe in the days after the attack.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
In the following days, as mourners organized vigils for Kirk across the country, the problem of political violence seemed only to intensify the country’s partisan divide.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Hong Kong residents have held vigils and left flowers to mourn those who were killed, amid ongoing food and shelter donations for those displaced.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Over 130 candlelight vigils were scheduled across the country to speak out in protest of what organizers say is ICE's abuse of immigrant workers.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils
Noun
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But as watches shifted from necessities to collectibles, history became a focal point—providing bragging rights, narrative, and value marker.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
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Ohio weather watches and warnings Stay informed.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Drug couriers and lookouts, for example, are now eligible for shorter sentences.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cross-country skiers and snowshoers can venture along trails at the golf course, connecting to the Cobble Hill Trails and the Blueberry Hill Trails, with miles of multiuse paths and various scenic lookouts displaying views that stretch to Vermont’s Green Mountains.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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