Impunity
/ɪmˈpjuːnɪti/
nounC1
Definition
Impunity is when someone does something wrong but does not get punished or face any bad results. It often happens when people break rules or laws but avoid consequences. This word is used mostly in serious situations like crimes or unfair actions.
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See It in Action
Freedom from punishment or legal penalty
- •The corrupt official acted with impunity despite the crimes.
- •Many war criminals have lived with impunity for years.
- •Without law enforcement, people might commit crimes with impunity.
Lack of negative consequences after wrongdoing
- •Some companies pollute the environment with impunity.
- •The bully continued to harass others with impunity because no one stopped him.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "impunity" like "no punishment," but stronger—it means you do wrong and nothing bad happens to you
- ✓Picture a person who breaks a rule but walks away without any trouble or penalty
- ✓It's the feeling of being untouchable or safe even when doing something bad
- ✓Sounds like "in-PUNITY" → imagine someone in a "punishment-free" zone, like a magic shield stopping any harm
- ✓Think of stories where villains escape justice and stay safe without paying for their actions
- ✓NOT like "forgiveness" (which means someone chooses not to be angry), impunity means no punishment happens at all, whether people want it or not
- ✓NOT like "immunity" (protection from disease), impunity means protection from punishment or harm
- ✓NOT like "escape" (running away), impunity means you never get punished even if caught or known
Try Other Words
- •Immunity: protection from something harmful (Use when talking about protection from disease or legal responsibility, not punishment for wrongdoing)
- •Exemption: being free from a rule or duty (Use when someone is officially allowed not to follow a rule)
- •License: permission to do something (Use when someone is allowed to act freely, sometimes wrongly)
- •Privilege: special right or advantage (Use when someone has a special right others do not have)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "im-" (not, opposite) + root: "punity" from Latin "poena" meaning punishment
- •Etymology: From Latin "impunitas," meaning freedom from punishment
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to mean escaping punishment for crimes or bad acts
- •Modern usage: Common in legal, political, and social discussions about justice and fairness
- •Key insight: Focuses on the absence of punishment even when rules are broken
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think some people or groups are able to act with impunity while others are punished?
•How does the idea of impunity affect people's trust in laws and fairness in society?
Fill in the blanks
1.The dictator ruled with impunity because no one could ___ him for his actions.
2.When companies pollute with impunity, it means they do not face ___ for environmental damage.
3.Unlike punishment, impunity means the wrongdoer stays ___ even after breaking the law.
4.The criminal acted with impunity, showing that the police failed to ___ him.
5.People who act with impunity often feel ___ from the consequences of their behavior.
6.Impunity is different from forgiveness because it means no ___ happens, not just no anger.
7.Without strong laws, some people might commit crimes with impunity, leading to ___ in society.