Conquerable

Conquerable is an English adjective meaning capable of being conquered or overcome. It can apply to a physical object such as a fortress or territory, as well as to abstract challenges, fears, or habits that can be mastered with effort.

Etymology and usage notes: Conquerable is formed from the verb conquer plus the suffix -able. It derives from Middle English conquerable, with influences from Old French and Latin conquirere. In modern usage, conquerable tends to appear in more formal or literary contexts. In everyday speech, speakers may choose synonyms like defeatable or beatable when referring to a specific opponent, while conquerable emphasizes feasibility of conquest under appropriate conditions.

Usage and nuance: Conquerable is usually used attributively (a conquerable fortress) or predicatively (the fortress is conquerable). It carries a sense of feasibility rather than inevitability, highlighting that conquest or overcoming a challenge is possible given sufficient resources, strategy, or effort.

Examples: The outpost proved conquerable after a well-planned siege. Her fear was conquerable with exposure therapy and time. A conquerable goal is one that can be achieved with the right plan and persistence.

Related terms: conquerability (or conquerableness) as a noun; related adjectives include defeatable, beatable, and surmountable. Antonyms include invincible, impregnable, and insurmountable. Conquerable remains a precise option in formal or literary contexts where the emphasis is on feasibility rather than inevitability.