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

Brown’s decision to contact authorities, and to ultimately testify at Buck’s trial, was a pivotal moment that helped lead to the Democratic donor’s conviction, and for other victims to come forward, said one of his attorneys, Nana Gyamfi.

From Los Angeles Times

After Buck’s conviction, Cannick said Brown was working a job and found an apartment that he was proud to show friends.

From Los Angeles Times

But Gaetz was not charged—prosecutors eventually dropped the case after concluding that they did not have strong enough evidence to secure a conviction.

From Slate

Manson long maintained that he had not ordered any murders even after his 1971 conviction, with some claiming the 1969 murders were “copycats” masterminded by another.

From Los Angeles Times

But they are also now getting around to abandoning the conviction, crucial to Biden’s victory in that year, that it is equally dangerous to use economically populist rhetoric about fighting against billionaires and the concentration of wealth.

From Slate

Related Words

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