vanquish
5 synonyms for vanquish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To defeat someone or something completely, especially in a fight or contest.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
trounce
beat out
How to use vanquish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
vanquish an enemy
vanquish a foe
vanquished opponent
A fairly formal or literary word; everyday speech usually just says "beat" or "defeat."
Etymology
From Old French veincre, going back to Latin vincere, "to conquer" — the same root that gives us "convince" and "invincible."
Full origin of vanquish →Frequently asked questions
What does “vanquish” mean?
The word “vanquish” means to defeat someone or something completely, especially in a fight or contest. In plain terms, to vanquish someone is to beat them thoroughly and decisively — stronger and more dramatic than just "win against.".
How do you pronounce “vanquish”?
“Vanquish” is pronounced VANGK-wihsh (/ˈveɪ̯ŋkwɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vanquish” in a sentence?
Here is “vanquish” used in a sentence: “The knight vanquished his rival in single combat.”
What part of speech is “vanquish”?
“Vanquish” is a verb.
Where does the word “vanquish” come from?
The word “vanquish” comes from Latin. From Old French veincre, going back to Latin vincere, "to conquer" — the same root that gives us "convince" and "invincible.".
