Definition

Not receiving punishment for an action or behavior.

Example

The thief went unpunished for his crime, which angered the community.

Conversation

Did you hear about that kid who got away with cheating?

Yeah, it's crazy that he remains unpunished for it.

I know! It feels unfair to those who actually worked hard.

Exactly, it sends the wrong message to everyone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unpunished → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "punished" (from Latin "punire", meaning to inflict a penalty). The word "unpunished" means not having received a penalty or punishment for an action.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') receiving a 'penalty' ('punished') — that's why unpunished means not punished.

Visually Confused Words