convict

adjective

con·vict | \ kən-ˈvikt

Definition of convict

(Entry 1 of 3)

archaic

: having been convicted

convict

verb

con·vict | \ kən-ˈvikt

convicted; convicting; convicts

Definition of convict (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to find or prove to be guilty The jury convicted them of fraud.

2 : to convince of error or sinfulness

intransitive verb

: to find a defendant guilty Remarkably, two of the jurors boldly dug in their heels and pressed to convict.— John Grisham

convict

noun

con·vict | \ ˈkän-ˌvikt

Definition of convict (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime

2 : a person serving a usually long prison sentence

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about convict

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for convict

Synonyms: Verb

condemn

Synonyms: Noun

con, jailbird

Antonyms: Verb

absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Examples of convict in a Sentence

Verb

There is sufficient evidence to convict. He was convicted in federal court. The jury convicted them on three counts of fraud. Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

Noun

a warning that the three escaped convicts were armed and dangerous

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Cohen himself has now been convicted of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service, and thus the American government, by evading taxes. — Dara Lind, Vox, "Michael Cohen’s joke about Hillary Clinton going to prison seems awfully ironic now," 12 Dec. 2018 Detainees undergoing interrogation in the Tokyo area are generally held in a center that is separate from the prison for those who have been convicted and sentenced. — Yuri Kageyama, The Seattle Times, "As Ghosn heads for Nissan exit, Renault merger hopes fade," 21 Nov. 2018 Fell was previously convicted in 2005 and sentenced to death, but the conviction and sentence were thrown out because of juror misconduct. — Lisa Rathke, Fox News, "Man pleads guilty in killing, will avoid death penalty," 28 Sep. 2018 Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, was convicted on eight out of 18 counts in his bank and tax fraud trial. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Trump’s personal lawyer pleaded guilty and his campaign chief was convicted," 22 Aug. 2018 By classifying lynching and attempted lynching as a federal hate crime, the bill enables judges to impose additional sentencing enhancements on top of any other charges when determining the punishment for those convicted of such crimes. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "By passing the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act this week, the Senate acknowledged its role in decades of racial terrorism.," 21 Dec. 2018 If convicted of third-degree murder, Noor could face a maximum of 25 years in prison, though the presumptive sentence is 12 ½ years. — Fox News, "Officer who fatally shot Justine Damond charged with murder, turns himself in," 2 Oct. 2018 If convicted, Kohrt could face up to more than a dozen years behind bars and $36,000 in fines. — Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Genesee Lake School employee caught in sex act in female colleague's classroom, complaint says," 13 July 2018 If convicted of aggravated rape, Losano could face a sentence of life in prison. — Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Swampscott man charged with raping five women at gunpoint," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The bill calls for evaluating all federal inmates to find convicts who have a low risk of recidivism and didn’t commit violent crimes—and then helping them through programs like counseling and job training. — Natalie Andrews, WSJ, "Senate Passes Landmark Criminal-Justice Overhaul Bill in Bipartisan Vote," 18 Dec. 2018 By far the most famous is this viral 2007 Philippine prison dance, featuring hundreds of convicts rocking their orange jumpsuits in style. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is the eternal Halloween bop — and so much more," 31 Oct. 2018 Heinrich, the Democrat, recently threw his support behind legalizing marijuana, while Johnson already is contemplating how to provide pardons for legions of drug-possession convicts. — Morgan Lee, The Seattle Times, "Libertarian says Trump, Democrats need a swing-vote senator," 9 Oct. 2018 No longer in the company of convicts, Bloodsworth is in the company of Congressmen. — William Marimow, Philly.com, "Rob Hiaasen's former boss recalls the 'five-tool player'," 29 June 2018 Brushy was also nearly impossible to escape, but Ray managed it with the help of six other convicts in 1977. — David G. Allan, CNN, "The infamous murderer's prison escape that inspired a near-impossible ultramarathon," 26 May 2018 The main point of the bill is to offer federal convicts a better shot at returning to life as productive members of society, as most won’t be in prison for life. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "A Jailbreak for Bipartisanship," 15 Nov. 2018 But the surge of an ex-convict and former coal baron with a penchant for shock value has made West Virginia the marquee race. — Joseph Weber, Fox News, "Blankenship brawl tops roster of hard-fought Senate contests as primary voters have say," 8 May 2018 Also, please think of the poor driver, who, unless he was strapped down like a convict at an operating table, was probably tossed around the all-metal interior of the armored vehicle. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Watch This Amphibious Vehicle Belly Flop Into the Ocean," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.