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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 Good versus evil and darkness versus light, and good must conquer evil. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 From the investors whose hearts conquered their head’s fear of risk, to a cast and crew that chose to do the thing that mattered (with no pay) coming off of two strikes. Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 Larry Ellison, Oracle’s chairman and chief technology officer, has by all means conquered the tech world. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 Billie’s father is also revealed to be Morsus’ son Damian, whose evil nature was conquered by his love for Alex. Andy Swift, TVLine, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conquer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conquer
Verb
  • Their taste can be subdued by pairing them with ingredients like herbs and lemon juice, and they can be used in place of almost any fish.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Spiders have venom to subdue prey, but the majority have fangs that are too tiny to puncture human skin.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kate Schneider and Caroline Handwerk each scored in the third quarter to separate from a halftime draw, finally overcoming a standout job from Bulldogs goalie Shealyn Murphy (15 saves).
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Cowboys’ defense has been so bad, not even elite quarterback play has been able to overcome it consistently.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Not only did his son create the groundbreaking and award-winning theater production, but the musical also shares a special connection to the beginnings of his relationship with his wife, Luz Towns-Miranda.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Two-time All Pro linebacker James Harrison led a fierce Pittsburgh Steelers defense for years, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Paris dominated global fashion traffic, accounting for 49 percent of views compared with 25 percent for Milan, 17 percent for New York and 9 percent for London, Tagwalk founder and chief executive officer Alexandra Van Houtte said during a presentation on Thursday.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … TOXIC TEXTS – Jay Jones’ ‘two bullets’ scandal over violent texts expected to dominate Virginia AG debate.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Girls cross country In a Mid-Wach tri-meet, Ayer Shirley (9-0, 6-0 Mid-Wach D) remained undefeated after defeating host Clinton, 15-50, and Bay Path, 22-32.
    Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In both nations, anger prevails for the injustices of those calling themselves saviors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • And that, plus the game’s physicality, became the prevailing story.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Orders in Memphis would subject troops to the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars them from engaging in law enforcement.
    Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Many employers already subject potential hires to elaborate interview and testing regimes, sometimes requiring them to perform tasks or problem-solve while recruiters watch.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During a trip to Mallon Farm with Prince William, the Princess of Wales mastered fall style with a black turtleneck, a cardigan, and a utility jacket.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Altogether, the ensemble was similar to countryside ‘fits worn by her predecessors, Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth, who had mastered the art of sporty but still feminine dressing for the UK’s chillier climates.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conquer. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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