impunity

noun

im·​pu·​ni·​ty im-ˈpyü-nə-tē 

: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

laws were flouted with impunity

Did you know?

Impunity (like the words pain, penal, and punish) traces to the Latin noun poena, meaning "punishment." The Latin word, in turn, came from Greek poinē, meaning "payment" or "penalty." People acting with impunity have prompted use of the word since the 1500s. An illustrative example from 1660 penned by Englishman Roger Coke reads: "This unlimited power of doing anything with impunity, will only beget a confidence in kings of doing what they [desire]." While royals may act with impunity more easily than others, the word impunity can be applied to the lowliest of beings as well as the loftiest: "The local hollies seem to have lots of berries this year.… A single one won't harm you, but eating a handful would surely make you pretty sick, and might kill you. Birds such as robins, mockingbirds, and cedar waxwings eat them with impunity." (Karl Anderson, The Gloucester County Times, 22 Dec. 2002).

Synonyms

• exemption
• immunity

Examples of impunity in a Sentence

she mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity

Recent Examples on the Web

But according to federal prosecutors, García Luna, Mexico’s former secretary of public security, enabled El Chapo and others to operate with impunity. —Keegan Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

The film is based on the true story of 1970s serial killer Rodney Alcala, a photographer who spent years assaulting young girls, boys, and women, with impunity. —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2024

Empowered by his own hubris, Trump builds and borrows and bangs with impunity, and a freewheeling sense of gleeful combativeness. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Oct. 2024

Empowered by his own hubris, Trump builds and borrows and beds with impunity — all with a freewheeling sense of gleeful combativeness. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French impunité, from Latin impunitat-, impunitas, from impune without punishment, from in- + poena punishment — more at pain entry 1

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

impunity

noun

im·​pu·​ni·​ty im-ˈpyü-nət-ē 

: freedom from punishment, harm, or loss