verb
vanquish
VANGK-wihsh
Vanquish (verb) means to defeat someone or something completely, especially in a fight or contest. Example: “The knight vanquished his rival in single combat.”
verb
1
To defeat someone or something completely, especially in a fight or contest.
"The knight vanquished his rival in single combat."
"The team vanquished every opponent on their way to the championship."
How to use vanquish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo vanquish someone is to beat them thoroughly and decisively — stronger and more dramatic than just "win against."
When to use it
A fairly formal or literary word; everyday speech usually just says "beat" or "defeat."
Common pairings
vanquish an enemy
vanquish a foe
vanquished opponent
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vanquish.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- vanquishes
- Past tense
- vanquished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight _____ his rival in single combat.
Etymology
From Old French veincre, going back to Latin vincere, "to conquer" — the same root that gives us "convince" and "invincible."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for vanquish
See all rhymes for 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.".
