Conquer - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT conquer /ˈkɑŋkər/ /ˈkɒnkə/ IPA guide

Other forms: conquered; conquering; conquers

To conquer is to defeat someone or something, usually with force, like army troops that conquer enemy territory, or your lunchtime hunger which you conquer with a sandwich and cup of soup.

To correctly pronounce conquer, accent the first syllable: "CON-kur." It comes from the Old French word conquerre, meaning "defeat, vanquish." Use conquer to show you've gained control over something, like doing breathing exercises as the airplane takes off to help you conquer your fear of flying. You'll hear people say they've conquered Mount McKinley, or the Appalachian Trail. It means they've hiked and climbed the whole route, not declared the place theirs alone.

Definitions of conquer

verb take possession of by force, as after an invasion synonyms: appropriate, capture, seize see moresee less types: carry capture after a fight type of: arrogate, assume, seize, take over, usurp seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
verb overcome by conquest “conquer your fears” “conquer a country” see moresee less type of: defeat, get the better of, overcome win a victory over
verb to put down by force or authority “conquer one's desires” synonyms: curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress see moresee less types: show 13 types... hide 13 types... blink, blink away, wink force to go away by blinking dampen, stifle smother or suppress choke back, choke down, choke off suppress hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, silence, still cause to be quiet or not talk burke get rid of, silence, or suppress silence keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure quell, quench, squelch suppress or crush completely muffle, repress, smother, stifle, strangle conceal or hide shush silence (someone) by uttering 'shush!' choke, suffocate suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of calm down, lull become quiet or less intensive shout down silence or overwhelm by shouting gag, muzzle prevent from speaking out type of: check, contain, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
verb get on top of; deal with successfully synonyms: get over, master, overcome, subdue, surmount see moresee less types: bulldog throw a steer by seizing the horns and twisting the neck, as in a rodeo type of: beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

Pronunciation US /ˈkɑŋkər/ UK /ˈkɒnkə/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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In his inaugural address, President Kennedy famously declared, "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

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Learn these words from the history article by Peter Winkler and Fran Downey (Inside: Level B, Unit 5). Here are our links to the selections of "Close Encounters": Encounter, Culture Clash, Mexico City, When Cultures Meet, Old World New World; The Log of Christopher Columbus Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

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