vanquish
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to defeat or overcome in a battle, contest, etc; conquer
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to defeat or overcome in argument or debate
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to conquer (an emotion)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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unvanquishedadjective
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unvanquishableadjective
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unvanquishingadjective
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vanquishableadjective
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vanquishmentnoun
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vanquishernoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has vanquishedperfect 3rd person singular
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have vanquishedperfect
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is vanquishingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am vanquishingprogressive 1st person singular
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are vanquishingprogressive
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has been vanquishingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been vanquishingperfect progressive
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vanquishingparticiple
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vanquishessingular 3rd person
Past
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had vanquishedperfect
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was vanquishingprogressive singular
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vanquishedsimple
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vanquishedparticiple
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were vanquishingprogressive plural
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had been vanquishingperfect progressive
Future
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
Explanation
To vanquish is to be the complete and total winner, to overpower and overcome, whether in a contest, a race, or a war. It generally suggests a total trouncing, to the point of humiliation — or worse — for the loser. Sometimes words for the same thing are effective in different ways because they offer different levels of meaning. For example, in a game, you can simply win, or you can vanquish your opponent. The former is enough, but the latter makes that defeat sound so much worse, like a total rout. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once stated, "Against war it may be said that it makes the victor stupid and the vanquished revengeful."
Vocabulary lists containing vanquish
Grade 10, List 1
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The Tragedy of Macbeth
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 19–24
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The three other horses, named Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish, have returned to duty and will likely be able to take part in King Charles III’s birthday parade on June 15.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024
In 2020, Mr Barrowman's lawyers told the BBC he had not "at any time owned or controlled Vanquish".
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024
Tax experts suggest there are grounds to open a criminal investigation into Vanquish Options.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024
“He wanted an Aston Martin Vanquish, so I got him an Aston Martin Vanquish — my way,” Bakhtiari said.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2021
Vanquish, O uncle, the mighty Bhimasena in battle.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
