with complete impunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with complete impunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone acts without fear of punishment or consequences. Example: "The politician was able to make false claims with complete impunity, knowing that no one would hold him accountable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

In other words, 631 journalists have been killed with complete impunity since 1992.

The Guardian

"If the whole world used to be our locker room, then we could say what we wanted with complete impunity.

The Guardian

Convoys of Escalades and Suburbans full of armed men were rolling around these central streets, killing with complete impunity".

The New Yorker

According to the report, the two companies "operate with complete impunity, devastating local livelihoods and the environment in the process".

Independent

The report detailed the number of people dying under torture, described methods of mistreatment used by different agencies, and stated that the torturers acted with complete impunity.

The Guardian

In Nakuru, furious mobs rule the streets, burning homes, brutalizing people and expelling anyone not in their ethnic group, all with complete impunity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

First and foremost, foreign troops are on the ground, controlling the country; the military regimes operated with complete immunity and impunity.

Huffington Post

Law enforcement officials say the mafias operate with almost complete impunity, as police agencies remain plagued by corruption.

The New York Times

The law, it seemed, on the face of these three cases – with Lawrence, in particular, going back and forth to court on charges of harassment and breaches of various orders with almost complete impunity – seems to err on the side of the former.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How is it that in a year stuffed with conferences on environment and human development, from climate talks in Paris and on new development goals in New York, those actually trying to save the environment are at best dismissed as enemies of progress, and at worst are being killed at an increasing rate and with almost complete impunity?

The Guardian - Opinion

Using his power with near complete impunity, he makes a personal fortune from prostitution, extortion, gambling and smuggling contraband into the United States.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with complete impunity" when you want to emphasize that someone is acting without any fear of negative consequences, legal repercussions, or accountability. It is particularly effective in contexts involving abuse of power, corruption, or systemic failures of justice.

Common error

Avoid using "with complete impunity" to describe trivial matters or minor rule infractions. The phrase implies a serious lack of accountability, so reserve it for situations involving significant ethical, legal, or moral breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with complete impunity" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It signifies that the action is carried out without any fear of consequences, penalties, or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with complete impunity" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe actions carried out without fear of punishment or accountability. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and most often appears in news and media contexts, as well as formal business settings. When writing, it is important to reserve this phrase for situations involving serious breaches of ethics, law, or morality, and to avoid using it for trivial matters. Alternatives such as "without any repercussions" or "above the law" can provide similar emphasis depending on the context. This phrase serves to highlight a critical absence of justice, making it a potent tool in discussions of power, corruption, and governance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without any repercussions

Emphasizes the lack of negative consequences following an action.

without fear of punishment

Highlights the absence of legal or disciplinary action.

with no accountability

Focuses on the lack of responsibility or obligation to answer for one's actions.

scot-free

An informal term suggesting complete avoidance of punishment or negative outcomes.

above the law

Indicates a position where legal rules and norms do not apply.

untouchable

Suggests a status where one is immune from criticism, investigation, or punishment.

with absolute freedom

Emphasizes unrestricted liberty in carrying out actions.

with total disregard

Highlights a lack of concern for potential consequences.

with no constraints

Indicates an absence of limitations or restrictions.

with unrestrained power

Emphasizes the ability to act without limitations due to one's authority.

FAQs

How can I use "with complete impunity" in a sentence?

Use "with complete impunity" to describe actions done without fear of punishment. For instance, "The dictator ruled "with complete impunity", silencing any opposition".

What does "with complete impunity" mean?

It means acting without any fear of punishment or negative consequences. It suggests a situation where someone is effectively 'above the law'.

What are some alternatives to "with complete impunity"?

You can use alternatives like "without any repercussions", "without fear of punishment", or "above the law" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "with partial impunity"?

While "with complete impunity" is a standard phrase, "with partial impunity" is less common. It might be used to suggest that someone faces some consequences, but not fully accountable for their actions. However, it's often clearer to describe the specific limitations of the accountability instead.