vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-tē 

: 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

vigilantism

ˌvi-jə-ˈlan-ˌti-zəm 

noun

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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.

Synonyms

• avenger
• castigator
• chastiser
• nemesis
• punisher
• scourge

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

Mangione has also emerged as a symbol of the California wildfires and people's anger toward insurance companies, with many online hoping for vigilante justice against insurers. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

Interest rates: Tax cuts may be a tall order, if the bond vigilantes have their way. —Bob Pisani,robert Hum, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025

Taking a break from their alter egos as vigilante Daredevil and crime lord Kingpin, these two seem to be chatting rather amiably — but there’s a bloody history lurking beneath their words. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Yardeni is hopeful the presence of the bond vigilantes, and Trump’s focus on the stock market, will act as powerful vetoes over risky policies, preventing them from becoming a reality. —Matt Egan, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vigilante

noun

vig·​i·​lan·​te ˌvij-ə-ˈlant-ē 

: a member of a group of volunteers who decide on their own to stop crime and to punish criminals