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Impunity vs Exculpate - What's the difference?

impunity | exculpate |

As a noun impunity

is (countable|legal) exemption from punishment.

As a verb exculpate is

to clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.

impunity

English

Noun

  • (countable, legal) Exemption from punishment.
  • (uncountable) Freedom from punishment or retribution; security from any reprisal or injurious consequences of an action, behaviour etc.
  • * 1846 , :
    • I must not only punish but punish with impunity . A wrong is undressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.
  • * 1994 , Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom , Abacus 2010, p. 495:
    • The remoteness of the prison made the authorities feel they could ignore us with impunity .

    exculpate

    English

    Verb

  • To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1907, author=
    • , title=The Dust of Conflict , chapter=4 citation , passage=The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected. Northrop knew all about Tony's flirtation with Lucy Davidson, but it also knew a good deal more about that lady than Tony did, and exculpated him.}}

    Synonyms

    * absolve * acquit * disculpate * pardon

    Antonyms

    * condemn * inculpate * indict