What does "convict" mean?
A person convicted of a crime by a judicial body.
Convict
/kənˈvɪkt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person convicted of a crime by a judicial body.
- Grammar: convict is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: acquit, adjudge, anathematize, assure.
- Useful contrasts: absolving, acquitted person, clear english.
- Usage evidence: The convict was pardoned after serving his sentence.
How to use "convict"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "convict" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "convict" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "convict" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "convict" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "convict" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acquit" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "convict", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A person convicted of a crime by a judicial body.
- 2 a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison wordnet
- 3 A person deported to a penal colony.
- 4 a person who has been convicted of a criminal offense wordnet
- 5 The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata), also known as the zebra cichlid, a popular aquarium fish, with stripes that resemble a prison uniform.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A common name for the sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), owing to its black and gray stripes.
Verb
- 1 To find guilty, as a result of legal proceedings, or (informal) in a moral sense. transitive
"He was a convicted felon."
- 2 find or declare guilty wordnet
- 3 To convince, persuade; to cause (someone) to believe in (something).
"Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe is standing by his decision not to integrate Apple’s CarPlay into the company’s EVs, even as rivals embrace it. […] Speaking on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Scaringe said Rivian aims to build a “seamless digital experience” entirely within its own software ecosystem. This means that Rivian will simply be offering native access to key apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Google Maps, and YouTube, according to MacRumors. […] Rivian’s software approach mirrors that of Tesla, which also relies on its own app integrations rather than Apple’s. […] The Rivian CEO added that the company is preparing to introduce AI-powered features within 18 months, including native voice-to-text messaging. Scaringe said this upcoming AI suite will further justify the brand’s decision to control the in-vehicle experience. “We’re really convicted on this,” the CEO said. While he acknowledged that some customers may avoid Rivian due to the lack of CarPlay, Scaringe said he’s “very confident” in the choice. “Some of those decisions not everyone’s going to agree with,” he said. “That’s okay.”"
Antonyms
Example
"The convict was pardoned after serving his sentence."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "convict"?
Common synonyms include: acquit, adjudge, anathematize, assure, attaint, barabbas.
How do you use "convict" in a sentence?
The convict was pardoned after serving his sentence.
How do you pronounce "convict"?
Pronounced /kənˈvɪkt/.
Etymology
From Middle English convicten, from Anglo-Norman convicter, from Latin convictus, the past participle of convincō (“to convict”). Doublet of convince. Displaced native Old English forwyrċan (“to convict, condemn”).