conquer — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To defeat in combat; to subjugate.

   Synonyms

   overrun

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   I lay in the desert beyond all cities and sounds, and above me flowed the River of Silence through the sky; and on the desert’s edge night fought against the Sun, and suddenly conquered.

2. To become a leader, decisive factor or champion in an area.

   Examples

   With her successes, she has truly conquered the committee, all of whose members now defer to her on most issues.

   It was his campaign manager's strategy that truly conquered the election for him.

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   By the end of the season, he had conquered the sport of baseball.

3. To acquire by force of arms, win in war; to become ruler of; to subjugate.

   Examples

   In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.

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   I haue beene wooed, as I intreat thee now, / Euen by the ſterne, and direfull God of warre, / VVhoſe ſinowie necke in battel nere did bow, / VVho conquers where he comes in euery iarre; […]

   We conquer'd France, but felt our captive's charms.

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   "Look at Clive - just a clerk, and he conquered India!"

   Taiwan's interests and Hong Kong's political and economic future are best served by close ties between their friends in the West and Beijing. For example, the fact that the PRC must choose between using force to conquer Taiwan and forfeiting its relationship with the United States is the best guarantee of Taipei's security.

4. To overcome an abstract obstacle.

   Examples

   Today I conquered my fear of flying by finally boarding a plane.

   to conquer difficulties or temptations

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   By winning words to conquer willing hearts, / And make persuasion do the work of fear.

   The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again; for, even after she had conquered her love for the Celebrity, the mortification of having been jilted by him remained.

   There are few sights that leave a railway lover more wistful than a desolate railway viaduct no longer carrying tracks. As with tunnels, so much effort was made to conquer the landscape, yet so many now stand forlorn.

5. To gain, win, or obtain by effort.

   Usage

   • Dated

   Examples

   to conquer freedom; to conquer a peace

Verb

1. bring under control by force or authority

   Synonyms

   suppressstamp downsubdue

   Broader terms

   controlhold inholdcontaincheckcurbmoderate

   Examples

   suppress a nascent uprising

   stamp down on littering

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   conquer one's desires

2. take possession of by force, as after an invasion

   Synonyms

   appropriatecaptureseize

   Broader terms

   assumeusurpseizetake overarrogate

   Examples

   the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants

   The army seized the town

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   The militia captured the castle

3. overcome by conquest

   Broader terms

   get the better ofovercomedefeat

   Examples

   conquer your fears

   conquer a country