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GRE vocabulary

impunity

nounHigh-frequency wordMore I words

exemption from punishment or freedom from the consequences of one's actions

Word origin: From Latin impunitas, from poena, penalty.

In a sentence

Impunity in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing impunity in a sentence.

The corrupt official acted with apparent impunity because of his powerful political connections.

Lax enforcement allowed polluters to dump waste with impunity, confident that no penalty would follow.

Synonyms
immunityexemptionlicensefreedom
Antonyms
accountabilityliabilityconsequencepunishment
Usage & nuance

Using “impunity” well

Impunity denotes freedom from punishment or consequence, and it most often appears in the phrase with impunity. It contrasts directly with accountability.

Common questions

Questions about “impunity

Impunity (noun) means exemption from punishment or freedom from the consequences of one's actions
Here is impunity used in an example sentence: "The corrupt official acted with apparent impunity because of his powerful political connections." Another example: "Lax enforcement allowed polluters to dump waste with impunity, confident that no penalty would follow."
Common synonyms for impunity include immunity, exemption, license, freedom.
Antonyms of impunity include accountability, liability, consequence, punishment.
Impunity clusters with immunity, exemption, and license in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms accountability, liability, and consequence signal the contrasting idea.
Yes. Impunity is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.