English vocabulary · C2
Impunity
/ɪmˈpjuːnəti/ · n.
Impunity means doing wrong without being made to pay for it. You break rules, but no one makes you face the cost of your acts.
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Example sentences
- Thieves steal with impunity.
- With impunity, he parks on grass.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- im — not (from Latin)
- pun — punish (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- IMMUNITY — protection from a penalty (Protected from a penalty)
- FREEDOM — able to act freely (No limits)
- EXEMPTION — being free from a rule (A rule does not apply)
Words with the same root
pun — punish
- punish — make someone pay for wrong
- punitive — meant to punish
Lesson notes
Impunity means doing wrong without being made to pay for it. You break rules, but no one makes you face the cost of your acts.
Related: immunity, freedom, exemption. Use impunity when thieves go free.
Thieves steal with impunity. With impunity, he parks on grass.
From Latin. im- means not. pun- means punish. Not to punish a known thief means impunity.