1 convict | Definition of convict

convict

adjective
con·​vict | \ kən-ˈvikt How to pronounce convict (audio) \

Definition of convict

 (Entry 1 of 3)

archaic
: having been convicted

convict

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

Definition of convict (Entry 2 of 3)

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

noun
con·​vict | \ ˈkĂ€n-ˌvikt How to pronounce convict (audio) \

Definition of convict (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime
2 : a person serving a usually long prison sentence

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Synonyms & Antonyms for convict

Synonyms: Verb

condemn

Synonyms: Noun

con, jailbird

Antonyms: Verb

absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

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Examples of convict in a Sentence

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?

Noun

a warning that the three escaped convicts were armed and dangerous
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Prosecutors declined to use Flynn as a witness in the trial of Kian, who was convicted in July. Adam Goldman, BostonGlobe.com, "Michael Flynn seeks delay in sentencing as his lawyers try new approach," 30 Aug. 2019 Godejohn, who was convicted of first-degree murder and is now in prison for life without parole, killed Dee Dee to help Blanchard escape her life of abuse. Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "Gypsy Rose Blanchard Reveals How FiancĂ© Proposed While Visiting Her in Prison," 30 Aug. 2019 Park, who was convicted of bribery and abuse of power in 2018, could now face an even longer sentence than the 25 years she was given. David Meyer, Fortune, "Excessive IPO Verbiage: CEO Daily," 29 Aug. 2019 Jackson, who was convicted of burglary in Marin three years ago, is in jail for an alleged parole violation. Gary Klien, The Mercury News, "Marin jail inmate charged with sexual attack on another," 29 Aug. 2019 Underhill’s ruling came in a suit by inmate Richard Reynolds, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1995 for killing Waterbury police officer Walter Williams. Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, "State weighs response to judge who said treatment of some inmates is “cruel and unusual” punishment," 29 Aug. 2019 Challenging the practice is Evangelisto Ramos, a Louisiana man who was convicted of murdering Trinece Fedison in 2015. Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Jim Crow Returns to the Supreme Court," 28 Aug. 2019 The 23-year-old is could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted, according to BuzzFeed News. Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Since El Paso, Three Suspects Allegedly Linked to White Supremacy, White Nationalism, and Neo-Nazism Have Been Arrested for Threatening Attacks," 23 Aug. 2019 Last month, WKBW Buffalo revealed that Charles Mitchell, who was convicted of committing rape at knifepoint three decades ago – had moved to the Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center in January. Fox News, "After Epstein death, glaring loopholes in national sex offender registry raise concerns," 16 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The mutual attraction between a federal marshal and an escaped convict interferes with their goals. Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 In archival drawers were convict leg irons from the early 1800s, jars of antique marsupial specimens, copperplate etchings of native plants made by naturalists on Capt. David Maurice Smith, Smithsonian, "A 42,000-Year-Old Man Finally Goes Home," 23 Aug. 2019 An escaped convict suspected of killing a Tennessee corrections employee was brought into custody Sunday after a four day manhunt. Doha Madani, NBC News, "Escaped Tennessee inmate found after four-day manhunt," 11 Aug. 2019 His students include convicts with sentences for murder, kidnapping and armed robbery. CBS News, "The Ohio restaurant that gives convicts a second chance," 10 Aug. 2019 In 2017, justices held that social media is the contemporary public square and that barring convicts from access to platforms like Facebook and Twitter is a First Amendment violation. Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Domino’s Pizza delivers a game-changing case to the US Supreme Court," 6 Aug. 2019 And in 11 percent of the cases, the person was charged with a crime, but the judge or jury did not convict. Sharon Otterman, New York Times, "Children Left to Die in Hot Cars: Accident or Murder?," 1 Aug. 2019 Scientists at the University of Burgundy in France studied one called the convict cichlid, a monogamous fish species that forms long-lasting pairs. Sigal Samuel, Vox, "Breakups really suck, even if you’re a fish," 20 July 2019 Anyone with information that may lead to the escaped convict’s capture was asked to call the corrections department at 800-831-8825. Howard Koplowitz | [email protected], al.com, "Authorities seek convict who escaped from Shelby County job site," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of convict

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for convict

Verb, Adjective, and Noun

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

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More Definitions for convict

convict

verb

English Language Learners Definition of convict

 (Entry 1 of 2)

law : to prove that someone is guilty of a crime in a court of law

convict

noun

English Language Learners Definition of convict (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person who has been found guilty of a crime and sent to prison

convict

verb
con·​vict