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

Unlike the first trial, Dogan's appeal will be judged by a jury made up of nine members of the public who will decide on both his conviction and the length of his jail term.

From BBC

Anderson said the arrest and conviction would not have been possible without the “old-fashioned detective work” of sheriff’s detective Jacob Hernandez or investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC is able to report the convictions of the eight British Pakistani men for the first time after reporting restrictions were amended.

From BBC

Women's Aid, among the organisations that campaigned for coercive and controlling behaviour to be recognised in law, says conviction rates remain "stubbornly low".

From BBC

Thanks to their courage and conviction we have seen internal reporting treble since 2021/22.

From BBC

Related Words

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