impunity

[ im-pyoo-ni-tee ]

/ ɪmˈpyu nɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impunity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

exemption from punishment.

immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.

Nearby words

impulse turbine, impulsion, impulsive, impulsive obsession, impundulu, impunity, impure, impure flutter, impurity, imputable, imputation

Origin of impunity

1525–35; < Latin impūnitās, equivalent to im- im-² + pūnitās punishment (pūn- (stem of punīre to punish) + -itās -ity); see punitive

SYNONYMS FOR impunity

See exemption.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impunity ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confused

immunity impunity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impunity

It would inject a threat of accountability into power, and upend the impunity wartime leaders had operated under for years.
The Man Who Invented the Word ‘Genocide’|Nina Strochlic|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once again he could throw his fastball for strikes with impunity--for six or seven innings at least.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up|Tom Boswell|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cameras show the gunmen roaming the mall, shooting and killing with impunity.
Westgate's Chilling Security Video Reveals Shopping Mall Bloodbath|Nina Strochlic|September 15, 2014|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.
T-Rav: The Reality TV Star Running for Senate in South Carolina|Patricia Murphy|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For more than a half-century before “Stairway to Heaven,” recording artists had been doing this, usually with impunity.
Did Led Zeppelin Steal ‘Stairway to Heaven’?|Ted Gioia|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I warrant the pope at Rome could not run over him with impunity.
When Knighthood Was in Flower|Charles Major
Impunity has been their privilege, while the mass of the community were forced to subscribe to the bitter penalty.
Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume II (of 2)|Lady Anne Hamilton
In Sweden, women about to become mothers kiss the Elder; and it is thought that no one can damage the tree with impunity.
Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics|Richard Folkard
After being thus driven out, they may be pushed about with impunity, and still be quiet!
Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained|M. Quinby
Was it possible, that, by the possession of great riches, a man could commit crime with impunity?
The Stretton Street Affair|William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for impunity

impunity

/ (ɪmˈpjuːnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

exemption or immunity from punishment or recrimination

exemption or immunity from unpleasant consequencesa successful career marked by impunity from early mistakes

with impunity

with no unpleasant consequences
with no care or heed for such consequences

Word Origin for impunity

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

impunity

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of impunity

SYNONYMS FOR impunity

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for impunity

British Dictionary definitions for impunity

impunity

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for impunity