vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē 

: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate)

broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice

vigilantism

ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-ˌti-zəm 

noun

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The Meaning and Origin of Vigilante

Vigilante entered English in the 19th century, borrowed from the Spanish word of the same spelling which meant “watchman, guard” in that language. The Spanish word can be traced back to the Latin vigilare, meaning “to keep awake.” The earliest use of the word in English was to refer to a member of a vigilance committee, a committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily, as when the processes of law appear inadequate. The word may often be found in an attributive role, as in the phrases “vigilante justice,” or “vigilante group.” In this slightly broadened sense it carries the suggestion of the enforcement of laws without regard to due process or the general rule of law.

Synonyms

• avenger
• castigator
• chastiser
• nemesis
• punisher
• scourge

Examples of vigilante in a Sentence

the danger of these self-appointed vigilantes is that they sometimes go after innocent people

Recent Examples on the Web

In order to even the score with the vigilantes who torched him like a s'more, Freddy stalks their children on and off the titular Elm Street. —Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Junius offered that in San Francisco, vigilante groups would have dragged the arsonists into the street and hanged them by now. —Longreads, 3 Oct. 2024

Every Lost character had an albatross: Jack struggled with a savior complex; Kate had to overcome her vigilante past. —Rebecca Bodenheimer, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024

The story in part highlighted the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, setting itself in 1980s Tulsa, Okla., following the dynamics of law enforcement and vigilantes. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvij-ə-ˈlant-ē 

: a member of a group of volunteers who decide on their own to stop crime and to punish criminals