conviction

noun con·vic·tion \ kən-ˈvik-shən \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: conviction in a Sentence

Definition of conviction

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

2 a : a strong persuasion or belief

b : the state of being convinced

3 a : 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

See conviction defined for English-language learners

See conviction defined for kids

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 of conviction from the Web

The bill also says a conviction of terrorism is punishable by life imprisonment without parole.

— emma austin, The Courier-Journal, "Sex ed, terrorism and revenge porn: New Kentucky laws start Saturday," 13 July 2018
A day prior, President Donald Trump had pardoned them, wiping away convictions of felony arson on public land.

— jake bullinger, Outside Online, "Trump’s Pardon Condones Western Rebellion," 12 July 2018
The outcome of his trial was never in doubt: the conviction rate in Japanese courts is over 99% and there were literally warehouses full of evidence against him.

— The Economist, "On the hanging of Shoko Asahara, Japan’s nerve-gas guru," 12 July 2018
Of 11 parents found to have a serious criminal history, some had charges or convictions of child cruelty, kidnapping and murder.

— NBC News, "Feds won't say if they will reunite kids with deported parents," 12 July 2018
Crowley has a criminal record out of Oregon that includes convictions of burglary and eluding police, CBS affiliate KPAX reported.

— CBS News, "Officers recall finding buried baby; man says he abandoned boy because he was heavy," 11 July 2018
This week, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced the conviction and sentencing of a Nevada corporation and its CEO on grand larceny and securities fraud, among other charges.

— russell brandom, The Verge, "‘Free tablet’ scammer will pay $2.8 million for rebate scheme," 1 July 2018
Each count of prescription fraud carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison, while a conviction of aggravated identity theft would result in a mandatory minimum of two years.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Owner of a Wauwatosa pain clinic is charged as part of a nationwide opioids crackdown," 29 June 2018
Similar disputes are often settled out-of-court in China — where the conviction rate is 99 percent — but Brown did not reach a settlement with the plaintiff and pleaded not guilty.

— gerry shih, Detroit Free Press, "Chinese court gives Wendell Brown 4-year prison sentence," 28 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of conviction

see ²convict

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

conviction Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

CONVICTION Defined for English Language Learners

conviction

noun

Definition of conviction for English Language Learners

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

CONVICTION Defined for Kids

conviction

noun con·vic·tion \ kən-ˈvik-shən \

Definition of conviction for Students

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.

Law Dictionary

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.

2 : guilt