impunity

noun

im·​pu·​ni·​ty im-ˈpyü-nə-tē How to pronounce impunity (audio)
: 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).

Examples of impunity in a Sentence

she mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mistaking forbearance for weakness, NATO spokespersons have scoffed, contending that since previous provocations elicited no nuclear reaction, the West can cross any and all Russian red lines with impunity. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024 The violence has accompanied a surge in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli settlers who often operate with impunity. Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024 Third, that the jurisdictional quagmire on reservations results in perpetrators committing violent crimes with impunity. Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Supporters of the initiative asserted that current policies have left law enforcement toothless in pursuing serial theft, contending that offenders can stay out of jail and court with impunity as long as the theft is below the threshold. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impunity 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of impunity was in 1532

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Cite this Entry

“Impunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impunity. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

impunity

noun
im·​pu·​ni·​ty im-ˈpyü-nət-ē How to pronounce impunity (audio)
: freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

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