What does conquering mean?
'Conquering' refers to the act of overcoming and taking control — whether of territory, peoples, opponents, or abstract obstacles such as fear and adversity. Functioning both as the present participle of the verb 'conquer' and as a noun denoting the act itself, it spans literal and figurative uses. In history and politics it describes military subjugation, as in 'the conquering of Gaul'; in everyday speech it more often appears metaphorically, celebrating personal victory over hardship, as when an athlete is described as 'conquering' a difficult course. The phrase 'conquering hero' remains a familiar cultural shorthand for a triumphant returning figure. Because conquest implies dominance achieved through struggle, the word carries a forceful, ambitious connotation, and modern usage often frames it admiringly, though it can also evoke aggression or oppression depending on context.
Present participle and progressive form of 'conquer': to overcome and take control by force or sustained effort.
"They are slowly conquering new markets across Asia."
Used mainly in progressive tenses and as a participle modifier.
The act or process of conquering something.
"The conquering of the summit took them eleven hours."
Often used in the pattern 'the conquering of X'.
Rarely used in the plural; the singular noun form is strongly preferred in ordinary writing.
"The chronicle records the conquerings of successive kings."
Every 'conquering hero' marching through literature and song carries a Latin verb that originally meant simply 'to seek' — conquest began life as an act of searching.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conquering
'Conquering' derives from the verb 'conquer', which came into English from Old French 'conquerre', itself descended from Latin 'conquirere', meaning 'to seek out' or 'acquire' — formed from 'con-' (together, thoroughly) and 'quaerere' (to seek). This same Latin root 'quaerere' gave English a whole family of seeking-related words, including 'acquire', 'inquire', 'query', and 'quest'. Over time the sense narrowed from seeking to seizing and subduing, so that today 'conquering' implies victorious domination rather than mere search or acquisition.
Related word forms
How conquering is actually used
As a verb form, 'conquering' appears chiefly in progressive constructions ('is conquering', 'was conquering') and as a participle. As a standalone noun, it denotes the act itself ('the conquering of Gaul took years'). Its tone ranges from literal military language to metaphorical self-improvement contexts, where it carries a motivational, sometimes grandiose connotation.
Easily confused with conquering
'Concurring' means agreeing or happening at the same time, while 'conquering' means defeating or overcoming something.