VIGILANTE Synonyms: 13 Similar and Opposite Words

vigilante

noun

ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē

Definition of vigilante

as in nemesis

one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense the danger of these self-appointed vigilantes is that they sometimes go after innocent people

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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 vigilante Police aren’t so happy about the whole thing, with some saying the vigilante tactics are dangerous and reckless. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 Temple is a nurse who gives medical aid to vigilantes, and has appeared in the first and second season of Marvel TV’s Daredevil (2015-2016), Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and spinoff The Defenders. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 As the show became a cultural juggernaut, some criticized its vigilante justice and the hazy line between law enforcement and journalism. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026 The team’s creepiest and most contented member is Xavier Von Erck (Matthew Maher), an online vigilante who arranges the show’s meetups, spending his days and nights fishing around in online chat rooms. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigilante

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante

Noun

After a big road win against longtime nemesis Oregon, video posted online showed Chesney delivering a fiery speech to his team in the tunnel before facing the Ducks.

— Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
But Bond’s most enduring nemesis has nothing to do with Blofeld’s white cat.

— Luka Ladan, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of nemesis

Noun

Tresnjak and Melinda Page Hamilton frame Claire Zachanassian as a clear-eyed avenger forcing society to confront capitalism, patriarchy and power, deepening the Playhouse’s emerging sense of company and artistic risk-taking.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Definition of avenger

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vigilant

vigilante

vigilantes

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“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vigilante

noun

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