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

Worst of all, she habitually dodged questions, offering banal, scripted, unmemorable answers that reinforced the impression that she was weak and lacked the courage of her convictions.

From Salon

They also say the convictions serve as a warning against forces trying to undermine China’s national security.

From BBC

He was just 20 when his activism landed him in jail, the first of what would be several convictions.

From BBC

Since his trial and conviction, Majors has kept a relatively low public profile.

From Los Angeles Times

This, Kagan says, renders impeachment and conviction virtually a dead letter.

From Salon

Related Words

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