impunity
im-PYOO-nuh-tee
/ɪmˈpjuːnəti/
Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
Refers to a systemic state where powerful actors commit illegal or harmful acts without fear of legal or social penalties.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'impunitas', formed by joining 'in-' (not) with 'poena' (penalty or punishment, which also gave us 'punish' and 'penalty'). It entered English in the 16th century to describe individuals who acted without fear of retribution.
Word relationships
- immunity: Immunity is legal protection granted by law, whereas impunity often describes a lawless, corrupt freedom from punishment.
- exemption: Exemption is being released from an obligation or rule, while impunity is escaping justice for wrongdoing.
- accountability: The obligation to accept responsibility and accept consequences for actions.
Commonly confused with
- punity: Punity is an obsolete term for punishment; impunity means without punishment.
Word family
- impunibly (adverb): In a manner free from punishment (rare).
Collocations
- act with impunity
- culture of impunity
- enjoy impunity
- climate of impunity
Idioms & expressions
- get away scot-free
Example sentences
- "Corrupt officials operated with total impunity because the judicial system was completely controlled by their political allies." Human Rights Reporting
- "For years, industrial polluters dumped toxic waste with impunity until citizens demanded legislative reform." Environmental Law
Memory hook
IM (not) + PUNITIVE (punishment) = cannot be punished. No penalty, no consequences.
When not to use
Do not use for a single legal pardon or formal amnesty, which is a granted official act rather than an ongoing state of immunity.
Fun facts
- The United Nations has published guidelines specifically called 'Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Through Action to Combat Impunity'.
Related words
Explore more words
Exempt, perpetrator, immunity, reckless, rule of law, recklessness
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