# conquer

/ˈkɑŋkɝ/ (US) · /kˈɒnkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conquer
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to defeat in war

verb · CEFR B2

to take control of a country or city by winning a war.

For teachers: to acquire territory or subjugate a population by force of arms.

- The Roman Empire managed to conquer most of Europe and parts of Africa.
- The invading army sought to conquer the coastal provinces before the winter snows blocked the mountain passes.

Usage: Often used with a direct object representing a place or a people.

### 2. to overcome a problem

verb · CEFR B2

to successfully deal with a difficult situation, a fear, or a bad habit.

For teachers: to overcome an abstract obstacle or psychological challenge through effort and persistence.

- It took her many years to finally conquer her fear of flying.
- The research team worked tirelessly to conquer the technical difficulties that had delayed the project for months.

### 3. to gain by effort

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to win someone's love or to reach a difficult goal through hard work.

For teachers: to gain, win, or obtain something desirable through significant exertion or charm.

- He hoped his kind actions would eventually conquer her heart.
- The young diplomat aimed to conquer the respect of his peers through meticulous preparation and unwavering integrity.

## Examples

- The army moved quickly to conquer the neighboring city.
- She finally managed to conquer her fear of heights by taking a flight in a small plane.
- Historians often debate whether the empire's collapse was due to internal decay or the inability to conquer and integrate the nomadic tribes on its borders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.