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. 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

The handcuffed man answering questions is Chen Dawei, a member of the infamous Wei family, one of several powerful mafia groups that for years operated with impunity in Myanmar's border town of Laukkaing.

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Recently she considered tropes associated with the Pinot Noir grape, described with surprising frequency as “sensitive” and “feminine”—words many wine writers have tossed around with impunity.

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My fear is that Mayor Mamdani will encourage even more impunity.

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She said Monday that returning to a militarized strategy in the war on drugs won’t curb impunity.

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RSF commanders circulated videos of their fighters torturing and killing, advertising the atrocities and their sense of impunity.

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Related Words

• immunity