conviction
Americannoun
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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.
-
the act of convicting someone, as in a court of law; a declaration that a person is guilty of an offense.
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the state of being convicted.
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the act of convincing a person by argument or evidence.
-
the state of being convinced.
- Antonyms:
- uncertainty, doubt
noun
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the state or appearance of being convinced
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a fixed or firmly held belief, opinion, etc
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the act of convincing
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the act or an instance of convicting or the state of being convicted
-
to be convincing
Related Words
See belief.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of conviction
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; see convince) + -iō -ion ( def. )
Explanation
A conviction is something certain: a judgment of guilty in court and a strong belief are both convictions. In the legal world, when a judge or jury convicts someone of a crime — finding them guilty — this is called a conviction. Prosecutors try to get convictions, and defense attorneys try to prevent them. Also, convictions are beliefs — principles. The United States was founded on many convictions, such as the belief in free speech and separation of church and state. When you have a conviction, you're certain of something.
Vocabulary lists containing conviction
The Outsiders
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Grade 9, List 1
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Goldman Sachs added UnitedHealth Group to its Conviction List, noting its “shrink to grow” strategy.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
Conviction does not protect portfolios during forced rebalancing.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026
Conviction is also driving investors, particularly wealthy Europeans who see huge stakes in the continent’s parlous security situation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025
Years later, however, retired state public defender Ellen Eggers picked up Solorio’s case, and evidence of Pedro’s role in the shooting gained new attention from the Conviction Integrity Unit.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2023
The Mobile Press Register headline was “DA: TV Account of McMillian’s Conviction a ‘Disgrace’”; the article quoted Chapman: “For them to hold themselves up as a reputable news show is beyond belief, and irresponsible.”
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
