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

Thousands of companies have exploited its porousness by plucking workers from the ranks of unauthorized migrants, sometimes with impunity.

From New York Times

Olga Romanova, the head of prisoner rights NGO Russia Behind Bars, says a sense of impunity is driving up crime rates.

From BBC

“It’s important to send a message that you can’t commit these crimes with impunity, that there are consequences to them,” district judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said.

From BBC

The Supreme Court gave Trump the right to take any “official” action with impunity.

From Salon

Today, much of Mexico is contested by warring criminal groups that operate with near impunity and are often aligned with political leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• immunity