impunity

noun im·pu·ni·ty \ im-ˈpyü-nə-tē \

Definition of impunity

: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

laws were flouted with impunity

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Examples of impunity in a Sentence

she mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity

Recent Examples of impunity from the Web

But Manafort spent decades profiting from kleptocracy with impunity.

— franklin foer, The Atlantic, "A Rebuke to Kleptocracy," 31 Oct. 2017
The decline in production starts with the offensive line, and continues with defenses that are unafraid of Jay Cutler or Matt Moore and thus able to prioritize stopping the run with impunity.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Spin this however you like, Dolphins trading Ajayi for 4th-round pick still comes out dumb," 31 Oct. 2017
While American regulations preclude the import of most contemporary foreign-market vehicles, any car that is more than 25 years old can be brought over with impunity.

— brett berk, Bloomberg.com, "Toyota’s New Century Is Japan’s Challenge to Rolls-Royce, Bentley," 26 Oct. 2017
The conclusion must be that even if Mr Xi’s rivals remain influential in the Standing Committee, the president feels empowered to ignore precedent with impunity.

— The Economist, "The apotheosis of Xi JinpingChina’s Communist Party has blessed the power of its leader," 26 Oct. 2017
If wealthy offenders can just pay some money and make their offenses hidden, then society is creating a rate card for the different atrocities from which these perverts may choose with impunity.

— gavin polone, The Hollywood Reporter, "Gavin Polone on Harvey Weinstein and Who's to Blame: "Accomplices Must Be Exposed"," 16 Oct. 2017
His power and influence seemed to translate into limitless impunity.

— mira sorvino, EW.com, "Mira Sorvino explains why she spoke out against Harvey Weinstein," 12 Oct. 2017
Today, unfortunately, people are routinely cyberbullied with impunity.

— david friend, vanityfair.com, "Monica Lewinsky Opens Up About the Year That Politics, and Her Life, Changed Forever," 27 Sep. 2017
Otso Iho, senior analyst at Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, says that terrorists in countries like Iraq and Syria can often practice their deadly craft with impunity, which assailants in Western countries typically cannot.

— tara john, Time, "The London Attack Was a Grim Reminder That Homemade Bombs Are An Ongoing Threat," 15 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impunity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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, as in this 1660 example by Englishman Roger Coke: "This unlimited power of doing anything with impunity, will only beget a confidence in kings of doing what they list [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: "Certain beetles have learned to detoxify [willow] leaves in their digestive tract so they can eat them with impunity" (Smithsonian, September 1986).

Origin and Etymology of impunity

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

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First Known Use: 1532

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