convict
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /kənˈvɪkt/
KK: /kənˈvɪkt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To declare someone guilty of a crime in a court of law.
Example
The jury decided to convict the defendant after a long trial.
Tense Forms
Past: convicted
Past Participle: convicted
Conversation
Did you hear about that trial on the news?
Yeah, they said it was tough to find jurors who wouldn’t convict without clear evidence.
Exactly! It’s so important to have a fair trial.
I agree; everyone deserves a chance to prove their innocence.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
judge
sentence
find
Antonyms
acquit
free
release
noun
Definition
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a punishment, often in prison.
Example
The convict was sentenced to five years in prison for theft.
Conversation
Did you hear about that convict who escaped from prison last week?
Yeah, I read the news! It's pretty shocking.
I wonder what he did to become a convict in the first place.
Root Explanation
Convict → It is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "vincere" (meaning to conquer or overcome). The word "convict" originally referred to someone who has been conquered or overcome in a legal sense, thus found guilty of a crime.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'together' ('con-') with the idea of 'overcoming' ('vincere') in a legal context — that's why convict means to find someone guilty.
Visually Confused Words
reconvict
conic
preconvict
conicity
conflict