Thesaurus results for VIGILS

vigils

noun

plural of vigil

as in watches

an act or period of watching for signs of activity, danger, or opportunity kept vigil at their ailing son's bedside the entire time he was in the hospital

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vigils When student vigils were harshly dealt with by police, the protests became a campaign. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Bend residents gathered for vigils as classes were canceled across the area’s 32 schools. — Haven Daley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Many came to mourn at candlelight vigils, remembering the young mother and shining a light on domestic violence. — Christina Fan, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Families of victims have held protests and vigils in Nepal, calling for search efforts to be improved. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Other commemorations are being held across the country, including pro-Palestinian vigils that have been criticized by politicians and Jewish groups. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 The vigils symbolized the civil liberties that set Hong Kong apart from mainland China. — Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026 Flags appeared on porches that had never flown them, lines formed at blood banks, donations poured into relief funds, and people of every background stood together at candlelight vigils and interfaith services. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 This Friday, the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance who organized those vigils — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — will be sentenced for incitement to subversion. — Rowena He, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vigils

Noun

Flood watches were in effect into the weekend, said Alex DeSmet, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Salt Lake City.

— MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Storms capable of causing hail and wind damage were traveling through central Arizona early Thursday, with some flood watches and the possibility of tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.

— Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of watches

Noun

The president’s plan announced Tuesday night would focus on releasing people who were considered gang collaborators, a blanket term that can include anyone from gang lookouts to people who make extortion payments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Closer still to the falls, the mist is heavy enough to drench the sightseers stopping to gawk at the spectacle from viewing points, or on slippery pathways between the various lookouts.

— Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lookouts

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vigilantes

vigils

vignette

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“Vigils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vigils. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vigils

noun

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