conqueror

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who takes control of a country, people, or army by defeating them, usually by force.

   Grammar: Takes a plural: conquerors. Often followed by of: the conqueror of the territory.

   Patterns

   • the conqueror of a country
   • an army of conquerors
   • resist the conqueror

   William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066.

   The statue celebrated the conqueror of the southern kingdoms.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   Someone who succeeds in overcoming a great difficulty or challenge.

   Grammar: Takes a plural: conquerors. A figurative use; often the conqueror of something like fear or a mountain.

   Patterns

   • the conqueror of fear
   • a conqueror of mountains

   The book describes her as the conqueror of her lifelong fear of flying.

   Reporters called the climber the conqueror of the north face.

Word forms

Common combinations

William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror changed the course of English history at the Battle of Hastings.

the conqueror of a territory

The conqueror of the territory divided it among his generals.

defeat the would-be conqueror

The small fleet united to defeat the would-be conqueror.

Synonyms and how they differ

invader

An invader enters a country by force but may fail; a conqueror has succeeded in taking control.

victor

Victor is general, the winner of any contest; conqueror specifically implies taking control of a place or people.

subduer

Subduer stresses crushing resistance; it is rare in everyday English compared with conqueror.

Opposites

Word family

conquer verb

To defeat and take control of something.

conquest noun

The act of conquering, or territory won by conquest.

unconquered adjective

Not defeated or taken control of.

Commonly confused: conqueror or conquerer?

Practice

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