conviction
firm belief; a formal finding of guilt
Roots
- com-: with, together, complete, or intensified
- vinc / vict: conquer, overcome, or win
Other words with the vinc / vict root
- convince: to make someone believe or agree
- invincible: impossible to defeat
- vanquish: to defeat completely
- victory: success after struggle or defeat of an opponent
Conviction is belief that has won inside the mind. The idea has overcome doubt and now stands firm.
Her conviction grew only after the evidence survived every objection.
Conviction has two common lives: firm belief and a legal finding of guilt. The shared force is overcoming. An argument convinces when it overcomes resistance; a conviction in court arrives after the charge overcomes the legal test.