Word
impunity
Phoneticsim·puni·ty
US/ˌɪmˈpjunɪti/
UK/ɪmpjˈuːnɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the ability to do something bad or illegal without being punished. You use this when someone breaks the rules but never gets into trouble for it.
n. exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action. Often used in political or legal contexts to describe a lack of accountability for those in power.
Examples
“He broke the law with total impunity.”
“The corrupt officials acted with impunity, knowing that the local police would never investigate their financial dealings.”
“Human rights organizations warned that allowing these crimes to go unprosecuted would create a culture of impunity that could destabilize the entire region for decades.”
Examples
simple
“He broke the law with total impunity.”
contextual
“The corrupt officials acted with impunity, knowing that the local police would never investigate their financial dealings.”
complex
“Human rights organizations warned that allowing these crimes to go unprosecuted would create a culture of impunity that could destabilize the entire region for decades.”
Usage
Typically follows the preposition 'with' ('with impunity').
Real-World Examples
“The case is the latest to draw attention to the relative impunity of settlers and how Israeli forces are struggling to deal with rising settler violence.” “They believe themselves to be the lords of the land.”
Israeli militants target Palestinians with near total impunity in the occupied West Bank.” Etymology
From Middle French impunité, from Latin impunitas, from impunis (“without punishment”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/impunity