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vigilante

noun
vig·​i·​lan·​te | \ ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē How to pronounce vigilante (audio) \

Definition of vigilante

: 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
Other Words from vigilante Synonyms The Meaning and Origin of Vigilante Example Sentences Learn More about vigilante

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Other Words from vigilante

vigilantism \ ˌvi-​jə-​ˈlan-​ˌti-​zəm How to pronounce vigilantism (audio) \ noun

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.

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

 Critical evidence might be destroyed by the suspect or compromised, or later suppressed by a judge because of procedural violations traceable to the vigilantes. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "State warning: Don't take part in vigilante actions against suspected online child predators," 26 Aug. 2019 In 2012, a neo-Nazi and border vigilante murdered four people in a domestic violence episode and then killed himself. — María Cortés González, azcentral, "'This Anglo man came here to kill Hispanics': Will race motivate more violence?," 5 Aug. 2019 The latest series returns to its loner, neo-Gothic roots, so to speak, with dark magic baddies and creeping tentacles everywhere, as well as a supernatural subplot featuring one of DC’s most obscure vigilantes — Blue Devil. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Superheroes behaving badly: 12 crusading TV series target mature audiences," 4 Aug. 2019 Cow vigilantes started patrolling neighborhoods looking to physically punish those who were allegedly harboring, consuming, or even transporting cows. — Johnny Harris, Vox, "The violent rise of India’s cow vigilantes," 24 July 2019 PhotoQuest/Getty Images Between 1910 and 1920, state law enforcement officers and Anglo vigilantes in the Texas-Mexico borderlands murdered hundreds of ethnic Mexican residents, American citizens and Mexican nationals alike. — Time Staff, Time, "15 Unsung Moments From American History That Historians Say You Should Know About," 28 June 2019 The trailer shows off plenty of nods to the original story and characters, will follow the lives of a number of vigilantes in an alternate United States during the Cold War. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Comic-Con 2019 trailer round-up: The Expanse, Star Trek, Westworld, and more," 21 July 2019 Karl Urban stars as Billy Butcher, the leader of a group of vigilantes who target corrupt superheroes. — Mark Dawidziak, cleveland.com, "Final season of ‘Orange is the New Black’ among top viewing choices," 20 July 2019 On July 12, 1917, an army of vigilantes led by local sheriffs and representatives of the mine dragged more than a thousand strikers from their homes, forced them into cattle cars, and transported them to the middle of a desert in New Mexico. — Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, "Doc Talk: From an injustice in Georgia to a plea for bees," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vigilante.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vigilante

1856, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for vigilante

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

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More Definitions for vigilante

vigilante

noun
How to pronounce vigilante (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vigilante

: a person who is not a police officer but who tries to catch and punish criminals

See the full definition for vigilante in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vigilante

noun
vig·​i·​lan·​te | \ ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē How to pronounce vigilante (audio) \

Kids Definition of vigilante

: a member of a group of volunteers who are not police but who decide on their own to stop crime and punish criminals

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More from Merriam-Webster on vigilante

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with vigilante

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vigilante

Spanish Central: Translation of vigilante

Nglish: Translation of vigilante for Spanish Speakers

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