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Synonyms

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.
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)

"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

  • 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of these companies has a slightly more tolerable vision than the rest, although it’s fair to question whether any one of these ideals could ever vanquish the others.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2026

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 • Nov. 23, 2025

Unfortunately for us, we could not vanquish him sufficiently to prevent his return.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2024

But what if you could reimagine your memories — both recent and from long ago — to vanquish feelings of regret?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2024

She could, if she wished, vanquish all this color.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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.