conviction

noun

con·vic·tion | \ kən-ˈvik-shən

Definition of conviction

1 : the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law

2a : a strong persuasion or belief

b : the state of being convinced

3a : the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth

b : the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about conviction

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Choose the Right Synonym for conviction

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt. certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty , while certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof. believes with certitude in an afterlife conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual. holds firm convictions on every issue

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute. each expert seemed to have a different opinion view suggests a subjective opinion. very assertive in stating his views belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. a firm belief in her party's platform conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. was of the persuasion that everything changes sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of conviction in a Sentence

… a perfect example, I told Bobby, … why Realtors have to be prepared to work holidays. "Well, yeah," he said, utterly without conviction. — Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003 It was his conviction that if the words in the story were blurred because of the author's insensitivity, carelessness, or sentimentality, then the story suffered from a tremendous handicap. — Raymond Carver, The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987 She spoke in … the voice which people often used to express their deepest convictions … — Paula Fox, A Servant's Tale, 1984 Certainly the basis of our democracy is the conviction of the worth of the individual. — Robert Penn Warren, Democracy and Poetry, (1975) 1976 She hopes to avoid conviction. In light of the evidence, a conviction seems certain. He has three prior drunk-driving convictions. Convictions for shoplifting have made it difficult for her to get a job. a person of deep convictions They share my strong conviction that the policy is misguided.

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, Trump can’t pardon convictions for state crimes, and the Trump Organization is based in New York. — Sean Illing, Vox, "What does Michael Cohen’s plea deal mean for Trump? I asked 9 legal experts.," 29 Nov. 2018 The maximum penalty, upon conviction for violating finance and exchange laws is 10 years in prison, a 10 million yen ($89,000) fine, or both. — Yuri Kageyama, The Seattle Times, "As Ghosn heads for Nissan exit, Renault merger hopes fade," 21 Nov. 2018 Blankenship served a year in prison on a misdemeanor conviction for conspiring to violate mine safety laws, in connection with the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia in 2010 that killed 29 workers. — Alex Pappas, Fox News, "Morrisey pulls off upset in W.Va. Senate primary, as Indiana’s Braun and Ohio’s Renacci win nominations," 2 Oct. 2018 Most notably, Lincoln Adim's conviction for indecent assault and battery. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "The Bachelorette's Becca Kufrin Thinks She Had an "Amazing" Group of Guys, Despite Controversies," 26 July 2018 Jean Jimenez-Joseph, 27, was also in immigration removal proceedings following a January conviction for felony larceny of a motor vehicle, ICE said at the time. — Phil Helsel /, NBC News, "Mexican man dies in suspected suicide while held in ICE custody," 13 July 2018 Eleven adults have serious criminal histories, including charges or convictions for child cruelty, kidnapping, murder, human smuggling and domestic violence, according to HHS. — Brittny Mejia, latimes.com, "Trump administration reunites just over half of migrant children under 5 with parents, says others are 'ineligible'," 12 July 2018 De La Rosa was handed over to ICE on March 11 by law enforcement in Wake County, North Carolina, after a March 9 felony conviction for larceny. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, "ICE: Immigration detainee dead in apparent suicide," 12 July 2018 In that race, Crowley supported Assemblyman Francisco Moya, who went on to defeat Hiram Monserrate, a former council member and state senator who was expelled from the legislature after a 2009 conviction for assaulting his girlfriend. — Danielle Tcholakian, Longreads, "An Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reading List," 10 July 2018

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

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Last Updated

10 Jan 2019

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The first known use of conviction was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for conviction

conviction

noun

English Language Learners Definition of conviction

law : the act of proving that a person is guilty of a crime in a court of law

: a strong belief or opinion

: the feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true

See the full definition for conviction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conviction

noun

con·vic·tion | \ kən-ˈvik-shən

Kids Definition of conviction

1 : a strong belief or opinion political convictions

2 : the state of mind of a person who is sure that what he or she believes or says is true She spoke with conviction.

3 : the act of proving or finding guilty : the state of being proven guilty He appealed his conviction.

conviction

noun

con·vic·tion

Legal Definition of conviction

1 : the act or process of convicting also : the final judgment entered after a finding of guilt a prior conviction of murder would not overturn the conviction — compare acquittal

Note: Jurisdictions differ as to what constitutes conviction for various statutes (as habitual offender statutes). Conviction is rarely applied to civil cases.