What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conquer
Example
She was determined to conquer her fear of public speaking. [conquer: verb]
Example
The army set out to conquer the neighboring kingdom. [conquer: verb]
defeat
Example
The team suffered a crushing defeat in the championship game. [defeat: noun]
Example
He was defeated by his opponent in the final round. [defeated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defeat is more commonly used than conquer in everyday language. Defeat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conquer is less common and often used in the context of personal challenges or achievements.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between conquer and defeat?
Both conquer and defeat can be used in formal and informal contexts, but conquer may be considered more formal due to its less frequent usage.
