vigilantism
- noun
- /ˌvɪdʒɪˈlænˌtɪzəm/
- Activists argue that vigilantism undermines the legal system, creating chaos rather than safety.
- violence and vigilantism
- Mob vigilantism
- Vigilantism is not justice
And he seems to have resorted to some kind of vigilantism.
- And he seems to have resorted to some kind of vigilantism.
- There's the West Bank where you're seeing unprecedented vigilantism against Palestinian land owners and and homeowners as well.
- And I, I brought this up to him, this sort of, how would you say like myth of vigilantism or this leaning desire for, for a kinetic encounter.
Examples
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The nine black youths known simply as the Scottsboro Boys have come to symbolize the vigilantism of parts of the South in the early 1930s.
Academic text (2000) -
Some community members resorted to vigilantism when they believed the police were not protecting their neighborhood.
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Vigilantism is not the answer to our problems.
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And I'm saying there are other ways to keep this neighborhood safe than vigilantism.
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Instances of Batman-inspired vigilantism are on the rise.
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The steady increase in sightings of Spider-Man has sparked a national debate... over the role of vigilantism in American crime fighting.
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While not advocating lawless vigilantism, the authors are defending the position that citizens should be able to defend themselves against criminal activity.
Academic text (2014) -
This court does not condone feuds, vendettas or vigilantism.
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After the astonishing display of vigilantism... during the Yakavetta trial yesterday... the largest manhunt in recent memory is being undertaken... to capture three men the media have dubbed "the Saints."
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The rise of vigilantism in recent years has led to heated debates about justice and personal responsibility.
Antonyms
How Lawful
- Offensive
- Offensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word vigilantism comes from vigilant, which comes from vigil meaning 'watch' or 'awake'. A vigil is also an English word for a night watch, so vigilantism is like people taking the 'watch' into their own hands and trying to punish wrongs without official power.