vigilante

American  

[vij-uh-lan-tee] / ˌvɪdʒ əˈlæn ti /

noun

• vigilantes
  plural

1. a member of a vigilance committee.

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

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adjective

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

   vigilante justice.

vigilante British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• vigilanteism
  noun
• vigilantism
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• vigilantes
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vigilante vigilantes

The first time he decided to trash one of the cameras, a self-styled vigilante wearing all black and known as Nomark says he was "super nervous."

From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026

Equipped with super glue and expanding foam, the mystery vigilante has defaced dozens of newly installed parking meters across North Berwick.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

The army said the children and staff were rescued following "carefully planned and executed" operations alongside intelligence agencies, police and local vigilante groups.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

Conway’s time on “The Amazing Spider-Man” included the introduction of the vigilante antihero Punisher, also known as Frank Castle, whom he co-created with artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

He would become known as a vigilante who published “HeLa Hit Lists” in Science, listing any contaminated lines he found, along with the names of researchers who’d given him the cells.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Universe conditioned us to worship such false idols, portraying wealthy, aristocratic heroes as our greatest defense against alien threats and vigilantes working beyond the reach of the law as the true keepers of justice.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

An opportune moment to buy stocks and bonds could be nearing if bond vigilantes have their way.

From MarketWatch ● May 18, 2026

Even if Warsh wants to cut rates, Yardeni says, the bond vigilantes will resist, just as they have since the easing cycle began in September 2024.

From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026

Surprised by this unusual cobbling together of Hindu and Muslim names, the vigilantes left.

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

The area was swarming with soldiers and vigilantes and Isaac knew that in order to survive, they’d have to keep moving.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff