1. members of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate
Usage: plural of vigilante

Examples

• The vigilantes patrolled the neighborhood after several break-ins occurred.
• Local vigilantes took matters into their own hands when crime rates increased.
• The sheriff warned citizens against forming vigilante groups.
• Vigilantes in the Old West often acted without proper legal authority.
• The community was divided about whether the vigilantes were heroes or criminals.
• Several vigilantes were arrested for taking the law into their own hands.