impunity
Americannoun
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exemption from punishment.
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immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.
noun
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exemption or immunity from punishment or recrimination
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exemption or immunity from unpleasant consequences
a successful career marked by impunity from early mistakes
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with no unpleasant consequences
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with no care or heed for such consequences
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Synonym Usage
See exemption.
Etymology
Origin of impunity
First recorded in 1525â35; from Middle French impunite or Latin impÅ«nitÄt-, stem of impÅ«nitÄs, derivative of impÅ«nis âwithout punishment, unpunishedâ (from the adverb impÅ«ne), equivalent to im- im- 2 + -pÅ«ne, combining form of poena âpenalty, painâ + -itÄs -ity
Explanation
If doing something usually results in punishment, but you do it with impunity, you will not be punished for the deed. Students are not allowed to chew gum in school, but teachers do it with impunity. Not fair! The noun, impunity, comes from the Latin roots im- ("not") plus poena ("punishment"), a root which has also produced the word pain. Impunity, then, is the freedom from punishment or pain. If someone has committed a punishable offense but does not have to fear punishment, he or she does it "with impunity." Cybercriminals operate with impunity in some countries.
Vocabulary lists containing impunity
"The Cask Of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
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"The Cask of Amontillado"
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The Scarlet Letter
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That demand in turn ensures that the bonds remain liquid—and has allowed, at least so far, the U.S. to keep borrowing with relative impunity.
From The Wall Street Journal â Aug. 19, 2026
It’s clear they also wanted to maintain the impunity conferred by America’s superpower status.
From Salon â Jul. 19, 2026
A two-year public inquiry published in July 2021 concluded that the state should "shoulder responsibility" for the murder due to the "atmosphere of impunity" the government had created.
From Barron's â Jul. 1, 2026
Throughout the war in Gaza, a number of human rights organisations have criticised a lack of accountability and apparent impunity for abuses committed by Israeli troops.
From BBC â May 29, 2026
She’d been watching Molly before this, waiting for her to turn back to normal, to go back to grating on her nerves and breaking her rules with impunity.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
