vigilante

[vij-uh-lan-tee]

noun

1. a member of a vigilance committee.

2. any person who takes the law into their own hands, such as by avenging a crime.

adjective

1. done violently and summarily, without recourse to lawful procedures.

   vigilante justice.

vigilante

/ ˌvɪdʒɪˈlæntɪ /

noun

1. one of an organized group of citizens who take upon themselves the protection of their district, properties, etc

2. Also called: vigilance man. a member of a vigilance committee

Other Word Forms

• vigilanteism noun
• vigilantism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigilante¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; from Spanish: literally, “vigilant”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigilante¹

C19: from Spanish, from Latin vigilāre to keep watch

Example Sentences

The military, police and local vigilantes are conducting a search for the children, combing nearby forests and remote routes believed to have been used by the gunmen.

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The police said they had deployed "additional police tactical units, alongside military personnel and vigilante groups" to the area.

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The willingness by the chancellor to take political pain, in the form of breaking tax rate manifesto promises, in order to restrain borrowing in a straightforward way, is a plus for the bond vigilantes.

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Instead, they face hunger, homelessness and exploitation by large farm growers and vigilantes.

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That toll includes Muslims, Christians, soldiers, civilians and government officials, killed by terrorists, herdsmen, vigilantes, forest-dwelling kidnapping gangs, pirates off the coast, and Nigeria’s own overtaxed military.

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