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as in to win
to achieve victory (as in a contest) a coach who demands that his team conquer, whatever the cost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb conquer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conquer are defeat, overcome, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How do defeat and vanquish relate to one another, in the sense of conquer?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When would overcome be a good substitute for conquer?

The words overcome and conquer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When can overthrow be used instead of conquer?

The meanings of overthrow and conquer largely overlap; however, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When is reduce a more appropriate choice than conquer?

Although the words reduce and conquer have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Where would subdue be a reasonable alternative to conquer?

While the synonyms subdue and conquer are close in meaning, subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When is it sensible to use vanquish instead of conquer?

The synonyms vanquish and conquer are sometimes interchangeable, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conquer In addition to conquering the Hot R&B Songs chart, his breakthrough single leaps 10-5 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and springs 28-21 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025 And this group raised the trophy after conquering the most loaded Final Four in history. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 His attitude was in line with the consensus of his era, a time when urban elites ruled unchallenged over Andean countries that remained very much the home of conquerors and the conquered. Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 This year, he was tasked with conquering the opponent’s best hitters in Game 1, and that doesn’t figure to change. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conquer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conquer
Verb
  • While their presence pushes younger competitors to work even harder for wins, bigger racing teams just have elite equipment that can easily allow one car to dominate, the owner explained on the Dale Jr. Download podcast.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2025
  • This proposal, led by organizations such as the American Beverage Licensees (ABL), raises important questions about whether alcohol retailers should be allowed to dominate cannabis sales.
    Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.
    John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • After Republicans in the House and Senate had forged ahead on their own budget blueprints earlier this year, the Senate on Saturday adopted the compromise resolution, giving the House just days to overcome opposition and get it over the finish line before the recess.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Now, Wells has a chance to become the fourth second-round pick in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That advantage paired with a 14-11 edge in offensive rebounds helped Cleveland win the possession battle, taking eight more field-goal attempts and four more free throws than Miami.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Subdued volatility Unlike traditional assets, bitcoin’s pops and drops were relatively subdued this week, which some investors took as a mark of its maturity.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Up until last week, the president had been more subdued in his criticism of the central bank than in his first term.
    Colby Smith, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the play-in tournament before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that would have sent them to the playoffs as the No.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In his first defense of the IBF crown, Ennis defeated David Avanesyan when the fight was halted before the start of the sixth round.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And neither a coach nor his communications staff can control the prevailing narrative in outside media, or prevent anything outside a closed locker room from being seen, heard, recorded and posted by somebody and becoming viral, as was the case in the tunnel in Raleigh’s Lenovo Center.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Cool heads almost always prevail.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the administration hasn’t yet subjected any other state to Maine-level scrutiny.
    Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Vietnam’s $123 billion trade surplus with the United States—the second highest in Asia after China and the highest in Southeast Asia—has subjected it to high tariffs.
    Lynn Kuok, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Now, a new study adds basic geometry to the list of subjects these brainy birds seem to be able to master.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Any club would naturally be eager to sign a player who has mastered the most fundamental skill required to excel as a striker.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conquer. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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