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

According to the brief, “Chiles’s clients are also Christian and specifically seek her help because of their shared faith-based convictions and biblical worldview.”

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Calm, of course, does not mean a lack of conviction.

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Prosecutors noted that Williams has no prior criminal arrests or convictions and “had spent many years serving the community with distinction.”

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At a hearing at Belfast Crown Court last month, ahead of their sentencing, it emerged that both O'Brien and Martin intend to appeal their convictions.

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Last week, her barrister Richard Edney told a hearing in Melbourne that she intended to appeal against her conviction, though this has not yet been formally lodged.

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Related Words

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