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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 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 That said, the actress playing the diminutive vigilante — a remarkable Sneha Kumari — drums up just enough passion and intrigue to counterbalance this relatively rote unfurling. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vigilante

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante

Noun

Intrigue surrounds who will play which roles, and the identity of the nemesis.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Protecting Patrick Mahomes The Raiders’ best player — and a classic Patrick Mahomes nemesis — almost played for the Baltimore Ravens this season.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 4 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

Browse Nearby Words

vigilant

vigilante

vigilantes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vigilante

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

galore

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes