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. to be convincing

Other Word Forms

• convictional adjective
• nonconviction noun
• preconviction noun
• proconviction adjective
• reconviction 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

A trail of blood and broken acrylic nails helped solve a grisly Ventura County murder, authorities say — culminating Friday in the conviction of a couple for beating and murdering the man’s ex-girlfriend.

From Los Angeles Times

Protests have been staged outside The Bell Hotel, where he was being housed, since Kebatu's arrest and subsequent conviction on Thursday of five offences.

From BBC

It’s good to have your own convictions, and it’s nice to share them.

From Los Angeles Times

Judge James Adkin said in sentencing that he accepted that Hopper, who had no previous convictions, was remorseful.

From BBC

The court was told a review by the Crown Prosecution Service found there was no realistic prospect of conviction, because it could not be proved the defendant had been dishonest when he took the flowers.

From BBC

Related Words

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