impunity
/ɪmˈpjuːnɪti
/noun [mass noun]
Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action: the impunity enjoyed by military officers implicated in civilian killings protestors burned flags on the streets with impunity...
- Those involved in such attacks often enjoy complete impunity.
- War crimes will only end when potential war criminals fear punishment; that will only happen when we end impunity.
- There was a feeling that living was much harder for those who obeyed the law and that impunity favoured criminals.
Synonyms
immunity, indemnity, exemption from punishment, freedom from punishment, exemption, non-liability, licence;
amnesty, dispensation, pardon, reprieve, stay of execution, exoneration;
privilege, special treatment, favouritism;
French carte blanche
unpunished, with no ill consequences, with no ill effects, without being punished, without punishment;
scot-free
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis 'unpunished', from in- 'not' + poena 'penalty' or punire 'punish'.