conquered

Conquered is the past tense and past participle of the verb conquer. It describes the act of defeating and gaining control over someone or something, or the result of such action. The term is used in military, political, and metaphorical contexts to denote subjugation, capture, or mastery, as in conquered territories, conquered peoples, or conquered fears.

As a verb form, conquered appears in sentences such as “the army conquered the city” or “she conquered her reluctance to speak.” It can also function as an adjective, describing something that has been brought under control or overcome, for example, “the conquered lands” or “a conquered obstacle.” In historical narratives, it often refers to nations or populations subjugated after warfare or conquest.

Etymology traces conquer to Old French conquerre, from Latin conquirere, literally “to seek together” or “to seize,” with the sense evolving to imply subjugation through force. The word entered English in the Middle Ages and has since developed both literal and figurative usages.

Conquest has played a central role in world history, shaping borders, governance, languages, and cultures. It is central to studies of empires, colonization, and state formation, as well as to analyses of resistance, negotiation, and sovereignty. In modern discourse, conquer carries potential moral weight, contrasting harsh subjugation with efforts to overcome challenges nonviolently, and highlighting the distinction between defeating an opponent and achieving lasting peace or autonomy for conquered groups.

Related terms include conquest, conqueror, subjugation, and liberation. The word remains common in historical writing, military studies, literature, and discussions of personal growth and challenges.