conquistadores

[ (kong-kees-tuh-dawr-ays, kong-kees-tuh-dawr-eez) ]


The Spanish military leaders who established Spanish rule in the New World by overthrowing Native American governments. (See Hernando Cortés and Francisco Pizarro.)

Words Nearby conquistadores

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

How to use conquistadores in a sentence

  • Not long after the Spanish conquistadores explored the region for gold, they began snatching Apaches and other natives as slaves.

  • Judged by his environments and contrasted with any other of the Spanish conquistadores he was an angel of light.

    South American Fights and Fighters | Cyrus Townsend Brady
  • The Spanish conquistadores, in particular, lived in an atmosphere of fancy.

  • Once they had gained a foothold on the plateau, the conquistadores stopped not until the whole country was within their grasp.

    Mexico | Susan Hale
  • The conquistadores describe it as a formidable state, bearing the name of a republic, of ancient origin and advanced civilization.

    Mexico | Susan Hale
  • The conquistadores entered Tlaxcalla the 22d of September, receiving demonstrations of the greatest friendship.

    Mexico | Susan Hale