conviction

[ kuhn-vik-shuhn ]

noun

1. a fixed or firm belief:

   No clever argument, no persuasive fact or theory could make a dent in his conviction in the rightness of his position.

2. the act of convicting someone, as in a court of law; a declaration that a person is guilty of an offense.
3. the state of being convicted.
4. the act of convincing a person by argument or evidence.
5. the state of being convinced.

   Antonyms: uncertainty, doubt

conviction

/ kənˈvɪkʃən /

noun

1. the state or appearance of being convinced
2. a fixed or firmly held belief, opinion, etc
3. the act of convincing
4. the act or an instance of convicting or the state of being convicted
5. carry conviction
   to be convincing

Derived Forms

• conˈvictional, adjective

Other Words From

• con·viction·al adjective
• noncon·viction noun
• precon·viction noun
• procon·viction adjective
• recon·viction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conviction¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin convictiōn-, stem of convictiō “proof (of guilt)” from convict(us) “convinced, conquered” (past participle of convincere; convince ) + -iō -ion ( def )

Idioms and Phrases

see courage of one's convictions .

Synonym Study

See belief.

Example Sentences

The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned a conviction against actor Jussie Smollett, who prosecutors accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 in Chicago.

From BBC

By a 6-3 vote, the conservative majority overturned the conviction of a former Indiana mayor who took a $13,000 payment from a truck dealership that had received $1.1 million in city contracts.

From Los Angeles Times

While investigators found some old assault allegations against Williamson, he did not appear to have any convictions for violent crimes, Corey said.

From Los Angeles Times

"These lies resulted in prosecution, conviction, and prison. For the liars, not me."

From BBC

For a conviction on a charge of manslaughter, the jury must be sure that the defendants intended to cause “some physical harm”, he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• confidence
• faith
• feeling
• principle
• sentiment
• view