conviction

noun

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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 But there’s something misleading about the generosity inherent in looking at North as a man simply too zealous in his convictions (in this case, that communism is the greatest evil). — Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, "Fiasco Tries to Make Iran-Contra a Teachable Moment," 4 Feb. 2020 Baskins and Killings have previous drug trafficking convictions in 2018 and 2016, respectively, court documents state. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Five indicted after more than 50,000 lethal doses of fentanyl found in East Price Hill apartment," 30 Jan. 2020 Gayden has prior convictions for possession of marijuana and burglary of a habitation. — Claire Goodman, Houston Chronicle, "Fourteen arrested and charged with sexual assault in Fort Bend County last week," 24 Jan. 2020 Lazon, who has multiple convictions for methamphetamine possession, pleaded guilty in 2012 to assaulting his then-girlfriend, court records show. — oregonlive, "Meth binges, violent outbursts trail husband accused of using power saw on wife," 23 Jan. 2020 Despite his court-martial and felony conviction, Whelan continues to hold a federal firearms license that doesn't expire until October 2020. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, "Paul Whelan and family continue to fight a year after he's accused of spying in Russia," 22 Jan. 2020 According to the court, Morales has five previous felony convictions. — Lauren Castle, azcentral, "Pedro Morales sentenced after killing man then stabbing officer, pregnant woman," 10 Jan. 2020 Instead, the panel changed his conviction to involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum term of four years. — Hannah Frystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "A deputy died dodging a stove on the freeway. The man found responsible may soon go free," 9 Jan. 2020 Epstein’s donations—the ones that came after his 2008 conviction for trafficking minors, at least—shared the traits of both specificity and anonymity. — Wired Staff, Wired, "WIRED's 7 Big Science Stories That Shaped 2019," 23 Dec. 2019

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

7 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Conviction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conviction. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

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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.

2 : guilt the judge will enter a judgment of conviction— W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel

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