impunity

[im-pyoo-ni-tee] /ɪmˈpyu nɪ ti/

noun

exemption from punishment.

immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.

Origin

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

Can be confused

immunity, impunity.

Synonyms

See exemption.

Examples from the web for impunity

Long established customs of hurtful character could formerly fence themselves in, and do their evil work with social impunity.
The increasingly blatant nature of the nonsense uttered with impunity in public discourse is chilling.
Yet with impunity and hubris this industry continues to seek the expansion of nuclear technology and energy production.
Once again the anti nukes have made the news using outright lies with impunity.
Of course, that rewards the procrastinators and suggests to them that they can continue to procrastinate with impunity.
Another contributor: local leaders who have created a culture of impunity.
But the belief is that this army of occupation can shoot anyone it wants to, anytime, with impunity.
In the past she had been able to consume whatever she wanted with impunity.
The wave that bounces off walls with impunity and refuses to fade is known as a soliton.
Other matter can then move through it with impunity, without colliding at all.

British Dictionary definitions for impunity

impunity

/ɪmˈpjuːnɪtɪ/

noun (pl) -ties

exemption or immunity from punishment or recrimination

exemption or immunity from unpleasant consequences: a successful career marked by impunity from early mistakes

with impunity

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

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for impunity

1530s, from Middle French impunité (14c.) and directly from Latin impunitatem (nominative impunitas) "freedom from punishment, omission of punishment," also "rashness, inconsideration," from impunis "unpunished, without punishment," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + poena "punishment" (see penal).