vigilante
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for vigilante, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who takes it upon themselves to punish wrongdoing or enforce justice without legal authority.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use vigilante
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish vigilante ("watchman, guard"), from Latin vigilans ("watchful") — a doublet of "vigilant."
Full origin of vigilante →Frequently asked questions
What does “vigilante” mean?
The word “vigilante” means a person who takes it upon themselves to punish wrongdoing or enforce justice without legal authority. In plain terms, someone who dishes out their own version of justice, outside the law.
How do you pronounce “vigilante”?
“Vigilante” is pronounced vihj-ih-LAN-tee (/ˌvɪd͡ʒ.əˈlæn.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “vigilante” in a sentence?
Here is “vigilante” used in a sentence: “The film follows a vigilante who hunts down criminals the police can't catch.”
What part of speech is “vigilante”?
“Vigilante” is a noun.
Where does the word “vigilante” come from?
The word “vigilante” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish vigilante ("watchman, guard"), from Latin vigilans ("watchful") — a doublet of "vigilant.".
Is “vigilante” a common word?
“Vigilante” is an uncommon word in modern English.