conviction

noun con·vic·tion \ kən-ˈvik-shən \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 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

In an 8–0 decision, the court overturned Ali’s conviction.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Floats Pardon of Muhammad Ali, Who Doesn’t Need One," 8 June 2018
Micheli had no prior arrests or convictions as of a May 2 court filing by his federal public defender.

— CBS News, "Tennessee hatchet murder suspect caught in Kentucky," 6 June 2018
Late on Saturday, the authorities announced that the potential reward for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in the homicides had been increased to $21,000.

— christina caron, New York Times, "Fatal Shootings of Psychiatrist and Paralegals Linked as Police Investigate Third Attack," 2 June 2018
Callers can remain anonymous and still claim the reward, which is contingent on an arrest and conviction.

— rafael guerrero, Naperville Sun, "Reward offered for info on suspects who stole credit card, cash from Naperville pet store," 30 May 2018
As with any homicide in the city, there is a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

— joseph a. gambardello, Philly.com, "Police seek motive in shooting death of teen in South Philadelphia," 29 May 2018
In February 2017, a parent told the choir director that media reports were discovered about an arrest and conviction in California linked to the volunteer.

— diane smith and mitch mitchell, star-telegram, "Volunteer's link to molestation case angers parents at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts," 25 May 2018
The tip line offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to callers who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of criminals in Washington County.

— tyler langan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Man wanted for 'lewd' behavior at Cousins Subs in Germantown," 18 May 2018
In some school districts, tipsters are offered a financial reward for information that prevents an incident or leads to an arrest or conviction.

— alia malik, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. school districts stress need for community help with campus safety," 18 May 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