The activities of a vigilante; acting outside of legal authority, often violently, to punish or avenge a crime, right a perceived wrong, etc.
vigilantism
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for vigilantism.
Editorial note
For a given act of vigilantism there will be a proportion who condone it and a proportion who don't.
Quick take
The activities of a vigilante; acting outside of legal authority, often violently, to punish or avenge a crime, right a perceived wrong, etc.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of vigilantism gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for vigilantism.
noun
The activities of a vigilante; acting outside of legal authority, often violently, to punish or avenge a crime, right a perceived wrong, etc.
Example sentences
For a given act of vigilantism there will be a proportion who condone it and a proportion who don't.
My definition of vigilantism includes any action in response to an injustice that isn't performed by the executive branch of government.
If the police in your city are not doing their job, you shouldn't resort to vigilantism, you should stage a protest.
They will remain untouchable until real revolution in US, or some sort of vigilantism movement.
I am also not convinced that vigilantism is always wrong 'Wrong' is subjective so that statement is a truism.
One of the primary reasons we have a criminal justice system is to curtail vigilantism.
But eventually that vigilantism is going to kill an innocent person.
I'm not in favor of this kind of vigilantism either, by the way.
On the other hand, we have many forms of media that worship vigilantism...
It seems like vigilantism that sets a bad precedent.
> For a given act of vigilantism there will be a proportion who condone it and a proportion who don't.
Not to mention this idea of vigilantism is...
Quote examples
Vigilantism is by no means categorically "bad".
Illegal acts against people considered "deserving" is vigilantism, which is bad.
"I'm not convinced vigilantism is always wrong" is not the same as "I condone this hack".
I also like capitalism and free enterprise and find it frustrating that the show went from somewhat qualified vigilantism of actual bad guys to a downright idiotic "free the world" scenario by taking down a corporation employing lots of innocent people because a women was bad in a meeting.
Proper noun examples
Vigilantism comes from a sense of injustice, that the system doesn't work for unknown reasons.
Vigilantism is law enforcement undertaken by those without society's authority to do so.
Vigilantism sounds good until you realize you're a rapist.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use vigilantism in a sentence?
For a given act of vigilantism there will be a proportion who condone it and a proportion who don't.
What does vigilantism mean?
The activities of a vigilante; acting outside of legal authority, often violently, to punish or avenge a crime, right a perceived wrong, etc.
What part of speech is vigilantism?
vigilantism is commonly used as noun.