vigilante

American  

[vij-uh-lan-tee] / ˌvɪdʒ əˈlæn ti /

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.

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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

• vigilanteism noun
• vigilantism noun

Etymology

Origin of vigilante

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

Example Sentences

A feared attack by “bond vigilantes” after Takaichi unveiled her spending plans last year failed to materialize.

From Barron's

Hurel cautions against writing off Iran's ability to retaliate either directly or through vigilante hacker groups.

From BBC

A self-styled "pothole vigilante" from Horsham has become a social media star by planting flowers in damaged roads across West Sussex.

From BBC

He also defended joining late-night patrols in Glasgow, denying they were a vigilante group but instead claiming they were a community response to local concern about the safety of the city centre.

From BBC

The case attracted huge public attention, with Martin's supporters casting him as a man taking a stand to defend his home - and others believing he was a violent eccentric turned vigilante.

From BBC