different between demolish vs conquer

English

Etymology

Attested since the 16th century; from Middle French demoliss-, the stem of some conjugated forms of the verb demolir (“to destroy”, “to tear down”), from Latin d?m?lior (“I tear down”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??m?l.??/

Verb

demolish (third-person singular simple present demolishes, present participle demolishing, simple past and past participle demolished)

1. To destroy.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To defeat or consume utterly (as a theory, belief or opponent).
   • 1992, Robert Rankin, The Antipope (page 68)

     The Captain folded his brow into a look of intense perplexity. 'You seem exceedingly spry for a man who demolished an entire bottle of brandy and better part of an ounce of shag in a single evening.'
     'And very nice too,' said the tramp. 'Now as to breakfast?'

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:destroy

Related terms

• demolition

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “demolish”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• modelish

English

Alternative forms

• conquire (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English conqueren, from Old French conquerre, from Late Latin conquaerere (“to knock, strike; to search for, procure”), from Latin con- + quaerere (“to seek, acquire”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?k??k?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?k??k?/
• Hyphenation: con?quer
• Rhymes: -??k?(?)
• Homophone: conker

Verb

conquer (third-person singular simple present conquers, present participle conquering, simple past and past participle conquered)

1. To defeat in combat; to subjugate.
2. To acquire by force of arms, win in war; to become ruler of; to subjugate.
   • 1714, Alexander Pope, Imitation of Horace, Book II. Sat. 6

     We conquer'd France, but felt our captive's charms.
3. To overcome an abstract obstacle.
4. (dated) To gain, win, or obtain by effort.

Derived terms

Translations