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Definition of vigilante

vigilante

/ˌvɪdʒ.əˈlæn.ti/
vig · i · lan · te
Plural:vigilantes
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vigilante Lexical Profile

vigilante Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A member of a self-appointed group, or an individual, who undertakes law enforcement and the punishment of perceived offenses without legal authority.

Example

"The comic book novel follows a masked vigilante who patrols the city streets at night."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Relating to, characteristic of, or carried out by a self-appointed group or individual who undertakes law enforcement without legal authority.

Example

"The police chief warned residents against engaging in vigilante justice."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for vigilante

• Rhymes for vigilante

• Nearby Words

vigil
vigilance
vigilant
vigilante
vigilantism
vigilantly
vigna

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Spanish vigilante ('watchman' or 'guard'), from the present participle of vigilar ('to watch'), ultimately deriving from Latin vigilare ('to keep awake').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vigilante. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vigilante
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