CONQUER Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

conquer

verb

ˈkäŋ-kər

Definition of conquer

as in to subdue

to bring under one's control by force of arms before his final defeat, Napoléon had managed to conquer much of Europe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over love conquers all, or so romance novels would have us believe

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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

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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 These careful practices are far more meaningful than conquer and conquest. — Angelica Calabrese, Longreads, 7 July 2026 The Romans conquered this region more than two millennia ago. — Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026 Game plan for the title fight Gaethje has also conquered the art of performing as an underdog. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 July 2026 Still, the tour doesn’t shy away from the mission’s sins over its 250 years, demystifying how supposedly carefree life was during the height of its operations before the United States conquered Mexico. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conquer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conquer

Verb

Cops on foot chased the teen down, using a Taser to subdue him near Rogers Ave.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
For all the bombast surrounding the official proceedings, beginning with the UFC fight at the White House, elsewhere the mood has seemed subdued.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

After scoring in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa — his first goal at a World Cup — Jimenez was overcome with emotion on the pitch.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
To be able to feel and touch the community of Cologne, and this person who suffered that ordeal and overcame it — and then managed to carry out the courage of her convictions with Ukrainian refugees.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

The stock-specific approach contrasts with expectations that the surge in Korean and Taiwanese stock markets, dominated by local chip giants, would spill over into China more broadly.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Mexico dominated much of the match, yet England overcame playing most of the second half a man down after a red card.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

Michelin said defeating the current version of the measure is California Retailers Association’s top priority of all the bills that are still pending in the Legislature.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
The Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 at Globe Life Field on Thursday night to reclaim first place in the American League West.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

But that’s not the same as asserting that the physical differences between males and females invariably mean that men will invariably prevail over women in all competitions or that their participation will endanger women.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Cooler heads prevail An airliner comes in to land at Heathrow Airport, London.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of prevail

Verb

No individual or corporation may, by becoming sufficiently mistrusted by public opinion or a few public officials, be subjected in court to a wholesale confiscation of its assets beyond what the law permits.

— David B Mcgarry, Oc Register, 8 July 2026
Prosecutors also allege Kulbis subjected Dickey to hazing despite knowing about his medical condition and after receiving university training on sickle cell trait, state laws and NCAA hazing standards.

— Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of subject

Verb

There’s a fleet of school supplies to amass, multiple schedules to master, and a lot of stress—both for my kiddos and on my end.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 July 2026
Faculty across the country increasingly report spending more time teaching skills that many students once mastered before arriving on campus.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of master

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connubiality

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conquered

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“Conquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conquer. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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