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impunity

Noun

IPA /ɪmˈpjuːnəti/

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Meaning in plain English

Freedom from punishment for an action that is wrong or forbidden.

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Pronunciation

impunity/ɪmˈpjuːnəti/

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A person breaks a rule
No punishment follows
They believe they can do it again

Acting with impunity means acting without being punished.

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Examples in context

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The story's villain believes he can break every rule with impunity.
The policy makes clear that staff cannot falsify records with impunity.

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The story's villain believes he can break every rule with ________.

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impunity — Freedom from punishment for an action that is wrong or forbidden.

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Freedom from punishment for an action that is wrong or forbidden.

Compare: The story's villain believes he can break every rule with impunity.

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Word origin

From Latin impunitas, related to impunis, meaning unpunished.

Did you know?

With impunity is the usual phrase and means without being punished.

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