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Punitive vs Impunity - What's the difference?

punitive | impunity |

As an adjective punitive

is (legal|military) inflicting punishment, punishing.

As a noun impunity is

(countable|legal) exemption from punishment.

punitive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (legal, military) inflicting punishment, punishing
    • Washington imposed punitive sanctions on Syria.
    The jury awarded $10,000 in punitive damages.

    Related terms

    * punishment * punitive damages * punitively ----

    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 .