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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vigilante Hell's Kitchen vigilante – and the Kingpin of crime! Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 For a character whose flagship show ended seven years ago, the blind lawyer Matt Murdock—better known as the vigilante Daredevil—has maintained a steady presence on Marvel’s roster. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025 This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025 Confessions of witchcraft had been extracted by force by local authorities—or vigilantes. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vigilante

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“Vigilante.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigilante. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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