conquer
KONG-kuh
Conquer (verb) means to defeat and take control of a place, people, or army by force. Example: “The empire conquered much of the known world within a century.”
verb
1
To defeat and take control of a place, people, or army by force.
"The empire conquered much of the known world within a century."
"The invading army hoped to conquer the whole valley before winter arrived."
"Over the centuries, many rulers have tried to conquer the island."
2
To overcome a difficult challenge, feeling, or obstacle.
"It took years of therapy for him to conquer his fear of flying."
"She trained for months to conquer the mountain trail."
"He finally conquered his shyness and gave a speech at his brother's wedding."
How to use conquer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo win control over something by force, or to overcome a personal struggle.
Common pairings
conquer a fear
conquer new territory
divide and conquer
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- conquers
- Past tense
- conquered
- Archaic forms
- conquerest, conqueredst, conquereth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The empire _____ much of the known world within a century.
Etymology
From Old French "conquerre," from Late Latin "conquaerere," meaning "to seek out, procure" — from "con-" plus "quaerere," "to seek."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for conquer
See all rhymes for conquer →Frequently asked questions
What does “conquer” mean?
The word “conquer” means to defeat and take control of a place, people, or army by force. In plain terms, to win control over something by force, or to overcome a personal struggle.
How do you pronounce “conquer”?
“Conquer” is pronounced KONG-kuh (/ˈkɑŋkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “conquer” in a sentence?
Here is “conquer” used in a sentence: “The empire conquered much of the known world within a century.”
What part of speech is “conquer”?
“Conquer” is a verb.
Where does the word “conquer” come from?
The word “conquer” comes from Late Latin. From Old French "conquerre," from Late Latin "conquaerere," meaning "to seek out, procure" — from "con-" plus "quaerere," "to seek.".
Is “conquer” a common word?
“Conquer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “conquer” have?
“Conquer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to defeat and take control of a place, people, or army by force.
What is the difference between conquer and defeat?
Defeat simply means to beat an opponent in a contest or battle, while conquer goes further by implying that control or territory is taken as a result of that victory. You can defeat an army without conquering the land it defended, but conquering implies lasting control was gained.
Can conquer be used for feelings and challenges, not just places?
Yes, conquer can mean to overcome a difficult challenge, feeling, or obstacle, such as conquering a fear, in addition to its literal sense of defeating and taking control of a place, people, or army by force. Both uses share the idea of triumphing over something that resists you.
What is the difference between conquer and conquest?
Conquer is the verb describing the act of defeating and taking control, while conquest is the noun for the result, meaning the act of gaining that control or the thing gained. You conquer a territory, and the outcome is called a conquest.
