vanquish

American  

[vang-kwish, van-] / ˈvæŋ kwɪʃ, ˈvæn- /

verb (used with object)

1. to conquer or subdue by superior force, as in battle.

   Synonyms:

   quell, crush, suppress, subjugate

2. to defeat in any contest or conflict; be victorious over.

   to vanquish one's opponent in an argument.

3. to overcome or overpower.

   He vanquished all his fears.

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vanquish British  

/ ˈvæŋkwɪʃ /

verb

1. to defeat or overcome in a battle, contest, etc; conquer

2. to defeat or overcome in argument or debate

3. to conquer (an emotion)

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Other Word Forms

• unvanquishable adjective
• unvanquished adjective
• unvanquishing adjective
• vanquishable adjective
• vanquisher noun
• vanquishment noun

Etymology

Origin of vanquish

1300–50; Middle English vencuschen, venquisshen < Old French vencus past participle and venquis past tense of veintre < Latin vincere to overcome

Example Sentences

“Is this where you tell me I’m special anyway and my superpower is just being Zeke and that’ll be enough to vanquish the villain?”

From Literature

But even with Mark Cuban in the bleachers, Indiana didn’t buy it all; vanquished opponents like Ohio State and Oregon spent much more.

From The Wall Street Journal

The leader of one such community, Gaspar Yanga, forced Spanish authorities to recognize its autonomy, after troops failed to vanquish him in 1608.

From Los Angeles Times

The sleepy town of Hawkins is under quarantine as the show’s heroes search for a way to find and vanquish the baddie Vecna.

From The Wall Street Journal

The West Valley League has dominated girls’ volleyball over the last decade, but Palisades and Venice each vanquished two West Valley League opponents to reach the final.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conquer
• crush
• overcome
• overpower
• quell
• repress
• rout
• subdue
• surmount