Here are some synonyms of "convicted" and their analyses:
1. Found guilty
- Meaning: This phrase is a very close synonym to "convicted." When someone is "found guilty," it means that a court of law, after a trial and examination of evidence, has determined that the person is responsible for a criminal offense. The emphasis is on the legal determination of guilt through the judicial process.
- Example: "The defendant was found guilty of theft after the jury deliberated for several hours." Here, the phrase "found guilty" is used in the context of a legal trial, just like "convicted." It shows that the defendant's actions were judged to be criminal according to the law.
2. Sentenced
- Meaning: While "convicted" refers to the determination of guilt, "sentenced" emphasizes the part of the legal process where the punishment is imposed on the convicted person. However, in a more general sense, it can also imply that the person has been through the process of being found guilty. A sentence is the penalty given to a convicted offender, such as imprisonment, a fine, or community service.
- Example: "The convicted criminal was sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking." In this sentence, "sentenced" follows the determination of guilt (implied by the use of "convicted") and focuses on the punishment that was given.
3. Judged culpable
- Meaning: "Culpable" means deserving blame or being responsible for something wrong. When someone is "judged culpable," it means that a judicial or other decision - making body has determined that they are at fault. This phrase is more formal and less commonly used than "found guilty" but has a similar meaning in the context of a legal determination of responsibility for a wrong.
- Example: "The company's executives were judged culpable for financial fraud." Here, "judged culpable" shows that the executives were held responsible for the illegal act of financial fraud, similar to the way a person might be "convicted" of such an offense.
4. Adjudged guilty
- Meaning: "Adjudged" means to make a formal judgment or decision. "Adjudged guilty" is similar to "found guilty" and "convicted" in that it indicates a legal decision that a person is guilty of an offense. The use of "adjudged" gives a sense of a formal, authoritative determination.
- Example: "The suspect was adjudged guilty based on the overwhelming evidence presented in court." Here, "adjudged guilty" emphasizes the formal decision - making process that led to the determination of guilt, much like "convicted."