vanquish

verb

van·​quish ˈvaŋ-kwish  ˈvan- 

vanquished; vanquishing; vanquishes

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

vanquishable

ˈvaŋ-kwi-shə-bəl 

ˈvan-

adjective

vanquisher noun

Synonyms

• conquer
• dominate
• overpower
• pacify
• subdue
• subject
• subjugate
• subordinate

Choose the Right Synonym for vanquish

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy.

conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

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

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of vanquish in a Sentence

They were vanquished in battle.

vanquished nation after nation in his relentless conquest of Europe

Recent Examples on the Web

The moment completes Trump's takeover and is a remarkable consolidation compared to a year ago when Haley and DeSantis were looking to vanquish the former president, whose party and base increasingly are bullish about his chances in November. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024

After Milwaukee finally vanquished Phoenix in six games to win the 2021 Finals, Holiday and Khris Middleton of the Bucks and Booker of the Suns jumped on an overnight flight for Japan. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 10 July 2024

The battles go on, with many expressing eagerness to vanquish their political foes. —Reading (pa.) Eagle Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2024

Nine months of Israeli air and ground combat operations in Gaza have not defeated Hamas, nor is Israel close to vanquishing the terrorist group. —Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venquishen, borrowed from Anglo-French venquis-, extended stem of veintre, vaincre "to defeat, conquer," going back to Latin vincere — more at victor

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vanquish

verb

van·​quish ˈvaŋ-kwish  ˈvan- 

: to defeat and subdue completely

vanquisher noun