have impunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have impunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to be free from any consequences or punishment for one's actions. You can use it when talking about someone who is able to do something without fear of punishment or consequences, such as a corrupt politician or a wealthy individual with connections. Example: Despite multiple accusations of embezzlement and fraud, the CEO of the company seems to have impunity, as no legal action has been taken against him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We cannot have impunity," he says wearily.

The Guardian

Maybe we won't have to read the same story over and over; maybe young men won't think that such crimes enhance their status or that they have impunity.

The Guardian

However, as DCC Chesterman acknowledges, this cannot mean that officers have impunity; hence the need for independent investigation where there is a fatality.

The Guardian

The force's spokesperson, Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Sherrif, says that disrupting logistics on land "sends a strong message" to the pirates and their investors who now know "they will no longer have impunity on the beaches".However, both Mr Patterson and Rear Admiral Anthony Rix, now of Salamanca Risk Management, say that the biggest game changer of all is probably a third factor.

The Economist

Jewish [Israelis] feel that they have impunity in using guns".

Vice

The perpetrators have impunity for the terror they cause.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

News International accrued such power that it believed it had impunity to act as it pleased".

The Guardian - Opinion

It means Putin has impunity to kill people in the centre of London and then laugh at those who think there is something wrong about that".

The Guardian

Blunt said that without Libyan cooperation naval forces could achieve only partial success, with the smugglers having impunity to operate inside coastal waters.

The Guardian

"Just because he's a journalist doesn't mean he has impunity," Mr. Ghuzlan said, adding: "As soon as a journalist graduates school, he could tell the difference between criticism and slander.

The New York Times

"And they had impunity, so at a certain point Cuba decided to send some people to gather information on those groups and send it back to Cuba to prevent those actions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have impunity" when you want to emphasize the absence of accountability or consequences for actions, particularly in contexts of wrongdoing or abuse of power. It's more impactful than simply saying someone isn't punished.

Common error

Don't assume "have impunity" only applies to legal consequences. Impunity can also refer to social, ethical, or professional repercussions. Ensure your context reflects the full potential lack of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have impunity" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing a state of being free from punishment or consequences for one's actions. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in contexts related to law, ethics, and power dynamics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have impunity" signifies a state of being exempt from punishment or negative consequences, often in situations involving wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While alternatives like "be above the law" or "escape punishment" exist, "have impunity" directly addresses the absence of accountability. It's most common in news and media contexts, often highlighting systemic failures or abuses of power. Remember, impunity isn't limited to legal repercussions; it extends to social and ethical accountability as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face no repercussions

Directly states that actions will not result in negative consequences, highly similar in meaning.

act without consequence

Emphasizes the lack of repercussions for one's actions, similar to "have impunity".

evade accountability

Highlights the avoidance of responsibility for one's actions, which is a key aspect of impunity.

be above the law

Highlights the idea of not being subject to legal constraints, which is a specific type of impunity.

be exempt from consequences

Specifies that consequences are not applicable, similar to being immune under the law.

enjoy immunity

Focuses on legal protection or exemption from certain laws or regulations, differing from the broader sense of avoiding consequences.

operate unchecked

Indicates a lack of oversight or control, which can lead to impunity.

escape punishment

Focuses specifically on avoiding punitive measures, narrowing the scope of impunity.

possess blanket immunity

Conveys comprehensive protection from legal action, a more extreme form of impunity.

get away with

An informal way to express avoiding negative consequences for wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "have impunity" in a sentence?

You can use "have impunity" to describe situations where individuals or groups are not held accountable for their actions. For instance, "Corrupt officials often "have impunity" due to weak legal systems."

What are some alternatives to saying "have impunity"?

Alternatives include "be above the law", "escape punishment", or "evade accountability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone "has impunity" or "enjoys impunity"?

Both are correct, though ""have impunity"" is more direct. "Enjoys impunity" might suggest a more deliberate or even cynical exploitation of the lack of consequences.

What's the difference between "have immunity" and "have impunity"?

"Have immunity" typically refers to legal protection from certain actions, while ""have impunity"" describes a broader lack of accountability, which may or may not be legally sanctioned. One could "have immunity" from prosecution but not "have impunity" from public criticism.