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conqueror

American  
[kong-ker-er] / ˈkɒŋ kər ər /

noun

  • conquerors
    plural
  1. a person who conquers or vanquishes; victor.

    Synonyms:
    winner, vanquisher

Conqueror British  
/ ˈkɒŋkərə /

noun

  1. William the. See William I

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of conqueror

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conquerour, from Anglo-French; Old French conquereor, from conquer(re) “to conquer” ( see conquer) + -eor, from either Latin -or -or 1 or -ātor -ator

Explanation

A conqueror takes over a place by using military force. If you enjoy role-playing video games, you might like taking on the persona of a conqueror who battles evil orcs in order to rule their territory. Generally, conqueror is used to mean the winner of a war or the leader of a vanquishing army. You can also use it in a figurative way for someone who wins or defeats others in a game or sport: "My conqueror in the chess match was that tiny ten-year-old kid." The Latin root of both conqueror and conquer is conquirere, "to win or procure by effort."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing conqueror

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.

See Examples For:

This earned Agrippa the gratitude of his friend’s great-uncle, Julius Caesar, the conqueror of Gaul and dictator of Rome.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 28, 2026

Spain's Rafael Jodar, 19, will be his quarter-final opponent, followed by Djokovic's conqueror Joao Fonseca, also 19, or 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik in the semi-finals.

From BBC May 31, 2026

The stylized tableau depicted Columbus as a noble conqueror: one hand raised to the horizon, the other lifting a veil from a globe.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 20, 2025

But it seems more and more obvious that he's seriously entertaining fantasies of being some sort of world conqueror.

From Salon Feb. 3, 2025

“I am the conqueror of this continent, and soon to be ruler of all Erilea. You will not question me.”

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

The 11th-century work, which depicts the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror, arrived in London in July for a sell-out showcase that runs until July 2027.

From Barron's Sep. 3, 2026

Having defeated the Norwegians, Harold was defeated in turn by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.

From BBC Jan. 20, 2026

It is made up of 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses, and depicts William the Conqueror taking the English throne from Harold Godwinson, becoming the first Norman king of England.

From BBC Jan. 14, 2026

Majors had previously played villain Kang the Conqueror in the MCU.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2025

Then Aegon the Conqueror had sailed from Dragonstone.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

He even hailed Britain's role in colonizing North America -- a controversial subject given the atrocities against native people by waves of European conquerors who crossed the Atlantic.

From Barron's Apr. 28, 2026

Men who seize this opportunity are not conquered or conquerors.

From Salon Sep. 1, 2024

The goal preserved Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten record since a 3-0 reverse at Bochum on 27 May last year, 328 days ago, and booked a last-four meeting with Brighton's conquerors Roma, who knocked out AC Milan.

From BBC Apr. 18, 2024

In Mexico, they were apparently brought by the Spanish conquerors, but may also replicate pre-Hispanic traditions.

From Seattle Times Dec. 22, 2023

“But are you sure you are not in the position of those conquerors whose triumphs have cost them too dear? Would not such another ruin you?”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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