as in nemesis
one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense
the danger of these self-appointed vigilantes is that they sometimes go after innocent people
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Recent Examples of vigilante
He was raised in an abusive household by a father who was a gang leader, and has become a vigilante.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 ended with first-term NYC mayor Wilson Fisk announcing to the city his Safer Streets plan, which involves an 8 pm curfew, zero tolerance for vigilantes, and the declaration of martial law.
—Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 13 May 2025
Read some of the Statesman’s award-winning articles below, including coverage of a Greenbelt vigilante’s quest, prisoners using drones to obtain contraband cellphones, how the Bryan Kohberger trial could shape DNA case law and more.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 5 May 2025
Navigating the line between amateur sleuthing and official police investigation, a pack of dedicated vigilantes from the Furry community fights for the victims and defends their community from the evil within.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 ended with first-term NYC mayor Wilson Fisk announcing to the city his Safer Streets plan, which involves an 8 pm curfew, zero tolerance for vigilantes, and the declaration of martial law.
—Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 13 May 2025
Read some of the Statesman’s award-winning articles below, including coverage of a Greenbelt vigilante’s quest, prisoners using drones to obtain contraband cellphones, how the Bryan Kohberger trial could shape DNA case law and more.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 5 May 2025
Navigating the line between amateur sleuthing and official police investigation, a pack of dedicated vigilantes from the Furry community fights for the victims and defends their community from the evil within.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vigilante
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigilante
nemesis
Noun
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Kevin Kiley won one Thursday against his nemesis Gavin Newsom.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
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Among the decisions striking deep unease within Israel, Mr. Trump announced his administration was going to launch direct negotiations with Israel’s nemesis, Iran.—
Dina Kraft,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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