vigilante
Americannoun
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a member of a vigilance committee.
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any person who takes the law into their own hands, such as by avenging a crime.
adjective
noun
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one of an organized group of citizens who take upon themselves the protection of their district, properties, etc
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Also called: vigilance man. a member of a vigilance committee
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vigilante
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; from Spanish: literally, “vigilant”
Explanation
If you’re a vigilante, you might take the law into your own hands by trying to catch or punish someone in your own way. If you wrestle jaywalkers down to the ground, you might be called a vigilante. Vigilante is a form of the word vigilant, which means "keeping a watchful or close eye on events and people." Sometimes a vigilante will make news for catching a criminal, and sometimes vigilante groups form to target crimes in a bad neighborhood. A common combined use is "vigilante justice," which refers to a form of law-keeping outside of the official channels of police and the courts.
Vocabulary lists containing vigilante
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
CapitalWatch describes itself on its website as “A Vigilante of the Capital Flowing in and out of Stock Markets Around the World.”
From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026
Vigilante uses Japanese musical instrument to deter crooks.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026
Aside from Vigilante, Chris Smith’s friends are normal.
From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025
“Follow me here... Vigilante S— is about Taylor Swift telling Kim Kardashian and giving her evidence that Kanye West was cheating,” @TheTitanBaddie tweeted.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2022
The members of the Vigilante Committee besieged this place, and presently took charge of Terry and Ashe, as prisoners.
From The Story of the Outlaw A Study of the Western Desperado by Hough, Emerson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
