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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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 The chances of Aschenbrenner being one of the wealthy elites who could afford to buy a galaxy, however, are now looking as remote as the possibility that humankind could ever conquer one within his lifetime. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026 Eliminating acetaldehyde, the ad claimed, would help conquer hangovers. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 While Western climbers regard Everest as a peak to be conquered, Tenzing reveres it as a sacred mother goddess. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Through talent development and the transfer portal, Steve Sarkisian has assembled a roster that aims to conquer the College Football Playoff. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conquer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conquer

Verb

Called Defendu, the fighting technique with the knife was a combination of fierce aggression, speed, and strength to subdue an opponent as quickly as possible.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
When police officers in Oklahoma admitted to using electro-shock gloves to subdue two students over the 2025-2026 school year, the community was rightfully outraged.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of subdue

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Chidgasornpongse won best director in the Asian New Talent competition at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where Sompop Songkampol also took best actor.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of win

Verb

The crude market remains dominated by state producers, major energy companies, commodity merchants and large industrial consumers whose activity dwarfs that of individual traders.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
All-white kitchens, another style that uses one color to dominate a room, came in at number four for the most controversial decor trend.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominate

Verb

Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee controlled by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has committed to spending $44 million in Georgia in hopes of defeating Ossoff.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The Big Ten’s ruling earlier Tuesday announced that a violation of the rules would subject a head coach to suspension for 50% of remaining games plus an undisclosed fine.

— Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The team would put the players up in hotel rooms with two beds, subjecting Freeman to the incessant clicking of Heyward texting.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of subject

Verb

Rookies ultimately have to master such challenges as flight dynamics, parachute malfunctions, and landing in dangerous conditions.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
To be sure, successful leaders manage to master this self-presentational skill with the talent of great method-actors.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of master

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connubiality

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“Conquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conquer. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of conquer

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