A conqueror is someone who defeats and takes control of a place, people, or challenge through force, determination, or skill. Throughout history, military conquerors like Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan led armies to capture vast territories, building empires that changed the world. William the Conqueror earned his name by invading England in 1066 and becoming its king.

The word carries a sense of dominance and victory, but not all conquering happens on battlefields. When you tackle a difficult piano piece you've been struggling with for weeks and finally master it, you've conquered it. When a mountaineer reaches the summit of Everest, people say she conquered the mountain. Scientists work to conquer diseases like polio or smallpox.

Conqueror implies overcoming something formidable through sustained effort and strength. You might win a single tennis match, but if you dominate an entire tournament against tough opponents, you've acted like a conqueror. The word often appears in the phrase “more than conquerors,” suggesting victory so complete that you've exceeded what a typical conqueror would achieve.

History shows that military conquerors often brought suffering along with their achievements.