conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
kən-ˈvik-shən 
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
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.
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
African American history has already demonstrated the strength of the holiday and the conviction of its followers.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The controversial law, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters as a ballot initiative, became a complicating factor for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, leading to fewer arrests and convictions.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 18 June 2025
Steve Madden After appearing as a guest on the Cutting Room Floor podcast, the shoe designer was lauded across social media for being transparent about his past securities-fraud conviction, offering his take on tariffs and embracing his brand’s reputation for making knockoffs.
—Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Following his murder conviction, a DNA test connected Hardin to the 1997 rape of a school teacher in nearby Rogers, Arkansas, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conviction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
The controversial law, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters as a ballot initiative, became a complicating factor for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, leading to fewer arrests and convictions.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 18 June 2025
Steve Madden After appearing as a guest on the Cutting Room Floor podcast, the shoe designer was lauded across social media for being transparent about his past securities-fraud conviction, offering his take on tariffs and embracing his brand’s reputation for making knockoffs.
—Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Following his murder conviction, a DNA test connected Hardin to the 1997 rape of a school teacher in nearby Rogers, Arkansas, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conviction
Cite this Entry
“Conviction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conviction. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
kən-ˈvik-shən
1
: the act of convicting : the state of being convicted
2
a
: a strong belief or opinion
has deep convictions
b
: the state of mind of a person who is sure that what he or she believes or says is true
spoke with conviction
Legal Definition
conviction
noun
con·vic·tion
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
W. R. LaFave and J. H. IsraelLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share