impunity

[ im-pyoo-ni-tee ]

noun

1. exemption from punishment.
2. immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.

impunity

/ ɪmˈpjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. exemption or immunity from punishment or recrimination
2. exemption or immunity from unpleasant consequences

   a successful career marked by impunity from early mistakes

3. with impunity
   1. with no unpleasant consequences
   2. with no care or heed for such consequences

Word History and Origins

Origin of impunity¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French impunite or Latin impūnitāt-, stem of impūnitās, derivative of impūnis “without punishment, unpunished” (from the adverb impūne), equivalent to im- im- ² + -pūne, combining form of poena “penalty, pain” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of impunity¹

C16: from Latin impūnitās freedom from punishment, from impūnis unpunished, from im- (not) + poena punishment

Synonym Study

See exemption.

Example Sentences

They’ve tasted better now and aren’t likely to accept a return to a culture of impunity for sellers and manufacturers of fake goods and contaminated food.

From Ozy

That he shouts this down the street at the marauding policeman’s retreating back, who strides away with self-satisfied impunity, drives home the fact that this isn’t any other restaurant.

From Eater

As the superintendent of Southwestern College, I was hired by a concerned Governing Board to move the college culture from impunity to accountability, disrespect to respect, inequity to equity and silos to student-centeredness.

From Voice of San Diego

The decision to take youth sports teams on the road allows teams to skirt state rules with relative impunity — as long as no one gets sick.

From Voice of San Diego

At the same time, the public health department recently announced a plan to overhaul inspections by fostering a more collaborative relationship between facilities and their overseers, a change that critics argue would lead to nursing home impunity.

From Voice of San Diego

It would inject a threat of accountability into power, and upend the impunity wartime leaders had operated under for years.

From The Daily Beast

Once again he could throw his fastball for strikes with impunity--for six or seven innings at least.

From The Daily Beast

During exercises, it has shown itself in exercises to be able to fly inside enemy territory with near impunity.

From The Daily Beast

Cameras show the gunmen roaming the mall, shooting and killing with impunity.

From The Daily Beast

It was arrogant,” he says, adding, “If you go along with the status quo in South Carolina, you can break the law with impunity.

From The Daily Beast

There are some houses into which one can never enter with impunity, from the want of due ventilation.

From Project Gutenberg

He said very truly that long impunity had introduced universal laxity, and had made conspiracy the most attractive of occupations.

From Project Gutenberg

Food that one patient could eat with impunity brought out a beautiful eczema or urticaria on another patient.

From Project Gutenberg

Widows and orphans well remember the impunity given to the assassins of their loved ones in the name of "concord."

From Project Gutenberg

He was remitted to Bedlam, and became an awful warning that God will not always be insulted with impunity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• immunity