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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 In places like Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, women of color—who've been the most reliable progressive voters in America—are demanding policies (and candidates) that align with their convictions. — Cecile Richards, Glamour, "Five Activists Criss-Crossed the Country to Hear from Women. Here's What They Learned.," 6 Nov. 2018 If the Supreme Court rejects Flowers’s appeal, his conviction will be upheld. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Curtis Flowers was tried 6 times for the same crime. Now the Supreme Court will hear his case.," 6 Nov. 2018 Meanwhile, Away co-founder Rubio doubled down on the importance of staying true to your convictions. — Samantha Bergeson, Marie Claire, "Why You Need to Take Risks to Succeed, According to Top Female Bosses," 16 Oct. 2018 Now prosecutors are dropping the case for good, sparing the men from a new trial after Georgia’s top court threw out their convictions. — BostonGlobe.com, "Ex-soldiers won’t be retried in 1992 Ga. killing," 13 July 2018 Sharif is expected to appeal his conviction and seek bail. — Zaheer Babar And Abdul Sattar, chicagotribune.com, "74 dead in election violence in Pakistan," 13 July 2018 Holland appeared Friday, July 13, for a sentencing hearing — mostly a formality since his conviction of first-degree intentional homicide in May had already decided his fate: a mandatory life sentence in prison. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Holland ordered to pay $6,500 in restitution after hatchet killing," 13 July 2018 Sharif is expected to appeal his conviction and seek bail. — Zaheer Babar And Abdul Sattar, USA TODAY, "At least 74 people killed in Pakistan election violence," 13 July 2018 Reggiani’s five-month murder trial began in May 1998, more than a year after her arrest, ending that November with her conviction along with four accomplices. — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Decades After Hit Man Killed Gucci Mogul, the Ex-Wife Convicted of His Murder Speaks Out," 13 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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First Known Use of conviction

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for conviction

see convict entry 2

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Last Updated

14 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for conviction

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.

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

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Spanish Central: Translation of conviction

Nglish: Translation of conviction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of conviction for Arabic Speakers

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