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Vigilantes: meaning, definitions and examples

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vigilantes

 

[ vɪdʒɪˈlæntiːz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social justice

Vigilantes are individuals who take the law into their own hands, usually to enforce what they perceive as justice, particularly in areas where they believe law enforcement is ineffective. They often operate outside the legal system, acting on their own authority to punish perceived wrongdoing.

Synonyms

militia, private citizens, self-appointed law enforcers, watchmen

Examples of usage

  • The vigilantes patrolled the neighborhood at night.
  • Local vigilantes claimed they were protecting their community from crime.
  • The film portrays a group of vigilantes fighting against corruption.
  • Authorities warned against the rise of vigilantes taking justice into their own hands.

Translations

Translations of the word "vigilantes" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vigilantes

🇮🇳 निगरानी रखने वाले

🇩🇪 Wächter

🇮🇩 penjaga

🇺🇦 вартові

🇵🇱 strażnicy

🇯🇵 監視人

🇫🇷 vigilantes

🇪🇸 vigilantes

🇹🇷 vigilantes

🇰🇷 자경단

🇸🇦 الشرطة الشعبية

🇨🇿 hlídka

🇸🇰 strážcovia

🇨🇳 治安志愿者

🇸🇮 vigilantes

🇮🇸 vigilantes

🇰🇿 қорғаушылар

🇬🇪 მძიმე

🇦🇿 müdafiəçilər

🇲🇽 vigilantes

Etymology

The term 'vigilante' originates from the Spanish word ‘vigilante,’ which means 'watchman' or 'guard.' The word entered the English language in the mid-19th century, predominantly in the American West, where it described groups of self-appointed citizens who took it upon themselves to uphold law and order in communities plagued by crime and inadequate law enforcement. The behavior of these individuals was often controversial, as they operated outside the bounds of established legal systems, leading to a complex relationship between vigilante actions and societal norms. The concept has evolved over time, and while some view vigilantes as heroic figures standing up against injustice, others see them as dangerous anarchy that undermines the rule of law. The modern usage of the term has expanded, often encompassing various movements where groups or individuals escalate their actions in response to perceived social injustices, continuing the historical narrative of vigilantism across different cultures and contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,078 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.