impunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "impunity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an exemption from punishment, punishment that is not deserved, or immunity from consequences. For example, "The rebels acted with impunity, attacking villages without fear of consequence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Acting with seeming impunity and military precision, the extremists oversaw an organised campaign that targeted dark-skinned immigrants, leftist opponents and gay people, according to state prosecutors, who spent 15 months investigating the openly xenophobic, antisemitic and homophobic group.

The Guardian

They would also like to see a crackdown on the international tax rules that allow multinationals to shift profits from one country to another with impunity.

The Guardian - Business

Our membership of the EU enables companies to avoid paying some UK taxes with impunity and we will close this loophole.

The Guardian - Tech

This is not of course the first time, but the recent threat came from a group of people who have killed with impunity before, and have even had police set up people on false charges".

The Guardian

There is no longer impunity for those willing to associate themselves with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Challenge groups of pupils to create a video, role play or poster of their own on the theme of impunity.

The Guardian

"Avijit's killing once again proved that there is a culture of impunity in the country," Sarker told Agence France-Presse.

The Guardian

Many [of Bolivia's protected areas] have already been impacted by mining, with impunity, and now [this new law] is their final sentence".

The Guardian

Villiers said that under Labour, wheel-clamping firms had been allowed to "act with impunity".

The Guardian

It says that members of the security services can commit human rights violations with complete impunity, and calls on the UK Home Office to update its guidance about returning women to DRC who have suffered sexual violence.

The Guardian

It is the duty of our generation to put an end to impunity for international crimes, in Syria and elsewhere.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systemic issues, use "impunity" to highlight the structural or institutional failures that allow certain actions to go unpunished.

Common error

While both terms relate to exemptions, "impunity" describes the practical freedom from punishment, often due to lack of enforcement, whereas "immunity" is a legal protection from prosecution.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impunity" is as a noun. It typically acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., "with impunity") or as a subject complemented by a verb. Ludwig examples show it describing a state of exemption from punishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "impunity" functions as a noun, frequently used to denote the state of being exempt from punishment or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in contexts such as news, formal business, and academic discussions. Its core meaning involves a lack of accountability, often used to critique systemic or behavioral failures. While "impunity" is often mistaken for "immunity", it describes a practical freedom, not a legal one. Related terms include "exemption from consequences" and "freedom from accountability". Being aware of the term's nuances ensures precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting with impunity

This alternative shifts the focus to the action itself, describing the manner in which someone behaves without facing repercussions.

exemption from consequences

This alternative focuses on the lack of repercussions, rather than specifically on punishment.

freedom from accountability

This phrase emphasizes the lack of responsibility or justification for actions.

immunity from prosecution

This alternative specifically refers to legal protection from being charged with a crime.

unchallenged wrongdoing

This phrase highlights the fact that the misbehavior goes unaddressed or unpunished.

license to offend

This alternative suggests a permission, whether explicit or implicit, to commit offenses.

carte blanche for illegal actions

This phrase implies unlimited authority to perform unlawful acts.

freedom to act without fear of punishment

This alternative explicitly states the absence of fear related to potential consequences.

absence of legal repercussions

This highlights the lack of legal consequences for certain actions.

escape from justice

This phrase emphasizes the act of avoiding deserved punishment.

FAQs

How can I use "impunity" in a sentence?

You can use "impunity" to describe a situation where someone is exempt from punishment or consequences for their actions. For example, "The dictator ruled with "absolute impunity"".

What does acting with "impunity" mean?

Acting with "impunity" means performing actions without fear of punishment or negative consequences. It suggests a sense of being above the law or beyond reproach.

What are some synonyms for "impunity"?

Some synonyms for "impunity" include "exemption from punishment", "freedom from retribution", and "immunity".

How does "impunity" differ from "amnesty"?

"Impunity" refers to the general state of being exempt from punishment, while "amnesty" is a formal pardon granted to a group of people, often for political offenses.