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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Related Words
See exemption.
Etymology
Origin of impunity
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
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.
A senior U.S. official said a Russian base in Libya or at Port Sudan could expand its ability to project power and allow it to operate with impunity.
Prosecutors act with impunity in part because they are confident no one will expose them.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said atrocities in Darfur have been met with indifference and "complete impunity", in an interview with AFP after a visit to the devastated Sudan region.
From Barron's
Amnesty International has raised concerns over what it believes is a persistent pattern of impunity in Ethiopia's army.
From BBC
The complaints also allege other facility staff knew about and facilitated abuse, perpetuating a culture of impunity.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
