conquer

verb

con·quer | \ ˈkäŋ-kər

conquered; conquering\ ˈkäŋ-k(ə-)riŋ

Definition of conquer

transitive verb

1 : to gain or acquire by force of arms : subjugate conquer territory

2 : to overcome by force of arms : vanquish conquered the enemy

3 : to gain mastery over or win by overcoming obstacles or opposition conquered the mountain

4 : to overcome by mental or moral power : surmount conquered her fear

intransitive verb

: to be victorious

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about conquer

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Choose the Right Synonym for conquer

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of. Caesar conquered Gaul vanquish implies a complete overpowering. vanquished the enemy and ended the war defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas subdue implies a defeating and suppression. subdued the native tribes after years of fighting reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. the city was reduced after a month-long siege overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of conquer in a Sentence

And my girlfriends are really strong, feminine women—yet we can all be girls together. Some days we just have to go out and shop, get a massage … . The next day we want to conquer the world and start our own company. — Sandra Bullock, quoted in Playboy, September 1995 After her initial passionate prayer of thanks for the strength to conquer her vast disappointment, she stayed on her knees, the hassock comfortable … — James Clavell, Gai-Jin, (1993) 1994 It used to be that men "conquered" mountains in a cacophony of gratuitous chest-thumping. — Tim Cahill, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 1990 But however vile the movie, the sentiments it embodies are (as they say) American as apple pie: the west was something to be conquered and claimed. — Margaret Atwood, Survival, 1972 The city was conquered by the ancient Romans. They conquered all their enemies. He finally conquered his drug habit. Scientists believe the disease can be conquered.

Recent Examples on the Web

The good news about hiking the 14,440-foot mountain — the second highest point in the Lower 48 — is that with an early start and a consistent, mindful rhythm in your hiking, conquering Elbert is doable for most any hiker in solid shape. — Antonio Olivero, The Know, "A quick guide to hiking Colorado’s tallest 14er: Mount Elbert," 29 Aug. 2019 There's an intuition that has made women conquer against all odds. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Louis Vuitton's New High Jewelry Collection Was Inspired by Medieval Heroines," 27 Aug. 2019 Go forth into this cruel existence and conquer your childhood fears by living up to your adolescent idealism! — Chris Richards, Washington Post, "Taylor Swift keeps getting older without growing up," 27 Aug. 2019 Houston isn't the only artist who conquered charts in the '80s infusing the latest Dance Club Songs top five. — Gordon Murray, Billboard, "Kygo & Whitney Houston's 'Higher Love' Hits No. 1 On Dance Club Songs Chart," 22 Aug. 2019 My motivation went beyond conquering a fear of heights or checking an item off my bucket list. — Karen Burke, Detroit Free Press, "Why I choose to go over the edge for Leader Dogs for the Blind," 21 Aug. 2019 The show will follow the design-centric organizers conquering clutter in both celebrity clients' homes and everyday family homes. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Reese Witherspoon Is Officially Producing a Netflix Series Featuring The Home Edit," 20 Aug. 2019 The two-day brainstorming event, hosted by founder Peter Diamandis and opened with a keynote by inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, was like a historic secret gathering filled with noted longevity scientists planning on conquering death. — Zoltan Istvan, Quartz, "Rich people shouldn’t be the only ones who get to live forever," 29 July 2019 The speech came at a time when America and the Soviet Union were locked in a battle for dominance -- each trying to prove its superiority by conquering space. — Norah O'donnell, CBS News, ""Man on the Moon:" The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing," 16 July 2019

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

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More Definitions for conquer

conquer

verb

English Language Learners Definition of conquer

: to take control of (a country, city, etc.) through the use of force

: to defeat (someone or something) through the use of force

: to gain control of (a problem or difficulty) through great effort

See the full definition for conquer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conquer

verb

con·quer | \ ˈkäŋ-kər

conquered; conquering

Kids Definition of conquer

1 : to get or gain by force : win by fighting

2 : overcome sense 1 She worked hard to conquer her fears.

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conquer

Definition of conquer

Synonyms for conquer

Choose the Right Synonym for conquer

Examples of conquer in a Sentence

First Known Use of conquer

History and Etymology for conquer

English Language Learners Definition of conquer

Kids Definition of conquer

conquer

Definition of conquer

Synonyms for conquer

Choose the Right Synonym for conquer

Examples of conquer in a Sentence

First Known Use of conquer

History and Etymology for conquer

English Language Learners Definition of conquer

Kids Definition of conquer

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