vanquish

van·quish

verb \ˈvaŋ-kwish, ˈvan-\

Definition of VANQUISH

transitive verb

1

: to overcome in battle : subdue completely

2

: to defeat in a conflict or contest

3

: to gain mastery over (an emotion, passion, or temptation) <vanquish your fear>

— van·quish·able \-kwi-shə-bəl\ adjective

— van·quish·er noun

Examples of VANQUISH

1. They were vanquished in battle.
2. <vanquished nation after nation in his relentless conquest of Europe>

Origin of VANQUISH

Middle English venquishen, from Anglo-French venquis-, preterit stem of veintre to conquer, from Latin vincere — more at victor

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VANQUISH

Synonyms: dominate, overpower, pacify, subdue, subject, subjugate, subordinate, conquer

Related Words: annihilate, beat, clobber, crush, defeat, drub, lick, mow (down), overcome, prevail (over), reduce, rout, skunk, smash, thrash, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip; enslave; break, clamp down (on), crack down (on), put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, smother, snuff (out), squash, squelch, suppress

Near Antonyms: discharge, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

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See Synonym Discussion at conquer