convict

1 of 3

noun

con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
Synonyms of convictnext
1
: a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime
2
: a person serving a usually long prison sentence

convict

2 of 3

verb

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
convicted; convicting; convicts

transitive verb

1
: to find or prove to be guilty
The jury convicted them of fraud.
2
: to convince of error or sinfulness

intransitive verb

: to find a defendant guilty
Remarkably, two of the jurors boldly dug in their heels and pressed to convict.— John Grisham

convict

3 of 3

adjective

con·​vict kən-ˈvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
archaic
: having been convicted

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of convict in a Sentence

Noun a warning that the three escaped convicts were armed and dangerous Verb There is sufficient evidence to convict. He was convicted in federal court. The jury convicted them on three counts of fraud. Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Before that, jury recommendations had to be unanimous, a requirement that allowed a single dissenting juror to spare the life of a convict and condemn him to life in prison. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025 The former series has historically opened its doors to paroled and exonerated convicts (and even those with time served), from fraudstress Anna Delvey (season 33), to rapper Lil' Kim (season 8) to Real Housewife and tax evader Teresa Guidice (season 31). — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
Black was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1988 murders of his then-girlfriend, Angela Clay, and her two daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025 He was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing Eckart after DNA tied him to the crimes. — Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convict

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French convicter, from Latin convictus, past participle of convincere to refute, convict

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of convict was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing convict

Browse Nearby Words

conveyorize
convict
convict goods
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convict. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

convict

1 of 2 verb
con·​vict kən-ˈvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
: to find or prove guilty

convict

2 of 2 noun
con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
: a person serving a prison sentence

Legal Definition

convict

1 of 2 transitive verb
con·​vict kən-ˈvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
: to find guilty of a criminal offense
was convicted of fraud
compare acquit

convict

2 of 2 noun
con·​vict ˈkän-ˌvikt How to pronounce convict (audio)
: a person convicted of and serving a sentence for a crime
Etymology

Transitive verb

Latin convictus past participle of convincere to find guilty, prove, from com- with, together + vincer to conquer

More from Merriam-Webster on convict

Nglish: Translation of convict for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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