vigilante

lynch mob

Crowd executing without trial

• mob ruleDominance by unruly crowds
• posseArmed group pursuing fugitives
• angry mobHostile crowd seeking retribution

pitchforks · torches · riot · public shaming · doxxing · online mob · cancel culture · witch hunt · scapegoat · kangaroo court

renegade

Deserter of a cause

• fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
• wantedLonged for
• huntedSought to capture

outcast · anti-hero · lawbreaker · extralegal · unsanctioned · underground · shadow · rogue · bounty hunter · gunslinger

avenger

Retribution dealer

• punisherOne who metes discipline
• retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
• vengeanceRetaliation for injury

payback · retaliation · extrajudicial · score-settling · comeuppance · nemesis · reprisal · grudge · vengeful · wrath

defender

One who guards another

• protectorOne who safeguards others
• guardianProtective caretaker of another
• championTop competitor, or advocate

rescuer · savior · crime-fighter · neighborhood watch · citizen patrol · caped crusader · masked · anonymous · selfless · brave

revolutionary

Seeking fundamental systemic change

• insurgentOne who revolts
• dissidentOpposer of established systems
• anarchistOne opposing all governance

radical · subversive · guerrilla · resistance · uprising · defiant · antiestablishment · maverick · renegade · insurrectionist

watchful

Carefully attentive, observant

• patrolRegular surveillance route
• lookoutWatcher or vista point
• stakeoutProlonged covert observation

monitor · observe · scout · sentry · neighborhood watch · citizen patrol · guardian · night watch · surveilling · tracking

• Wild Westcowboy, howdy, sheriff, giddyup, lawmen
• heroeshero, heroes, heroine, heroines, superhero
• seguridadguardian, policia, escudo, detector, bunker
• Westernscowboys, western, outlaws, sheriffs, western novels
• action genresmartial arts, kung fu, spy, western, war films
• crime fighterscop, detective, police officer, sheriff, investigator