vanquish

[vang-kwish, van-]

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.

vanquish

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanquish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanquish¹

C14: vanquisshen, from Old French venquis vanquished, from veintre to overcome, from Latin vincere

Example Sentences

In fact, Lanning is already making it clear that he isn’t counting his vanquished opponent out of the running for a title.

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It would take a psychologist or geneticist to determine if there’s something in the minds or molecular makeup of party faithful, which could explain their varied treatment of those humbled and vanquished.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a 13-7 defeat of the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, they finally vanquished those demons.

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One plunges a big sword downward near the collarbone of the other, who fruitlessly twists his body behind a massive shield, while a third fighter lays already vanquished, sprawling dramatically at their feet.

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The Latinos that Manifest Destiny tried to vanquish are now nearly half of the population of this most American of cities.

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Related Words

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