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 calledvigilance man a member of a vigilance committee

Other Words From

• vigi·lante·ism vig·i·lan·tism [vij-, uh, -, lan, -tiz-, uh, m, vij, -, uh, -l, uh, n-tiz-, uh, m], 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 department cautioned against vigilante efforts to meet with or investigate potential suspects.

From Los Angeles Times

After El Paso I began investigating how a border crisis, rising temperatures, disasters and the swirling political reactions to them were affecting the agendas and vigilante campaigns of the far right.

From Salon

A scary situation unfolded early Halloween morning when an AR-15-wielding vigilante mistakenly fired at San Joaquin County sheriff’s deputies while trying to pursue a group of suspected burglars, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

The priest had tried to negotiate an end to the violence caused by clashes between a criminal gang and a vigilante group.

From BBC

They have been harassed on the U.S. side by vigilantes carrying cameras and rifles.

From Los Angeles Times