3 syllables: con, quer, ors. Stress on con.
KUHN-kwaw-urz
/ˈkənkwɔɚz/
conquerors is pronounced KUHN-kwaw-urz (/ˈkənkwɔɚz/). It has three syllables (con-quer-ors), with the stress on "con". Conquerors are people who overcome obstacles or defeat opponents through force, strategy, or persuasion. The term emphasizes a sustained, broad-seated effort to dominate a domain, often historically in military contexts, but it can also refer to those who master a difficult challenge. The plural noun highlights multiple such agents or leaders across contexts.
Conquerors are people who overcome obstacles or defeat opponents through force, strategy, or persuasion. The term emphasizes a sustained, broad-seated effort to dominate a domain, often historically in military contexts, but it can also refer to those who master a difficult challenge. The plural noun highlights multiple such agents or leaders across contexts.
"The conquerors who settled the region left a lasting cultural imprint on the language and cuisine."
"Historians debate which conquerors were most effective in unifying the empire."
"The mountain trek demanded that the conquerors adapt quickly to harsher weather and terrain."
Pronounce as /ˈkɒŋ.kə.rəz/ in General American and /ˈkɒŋ.kə.rəz/ in most UK variants; stress on the first syllable. The middle syllable is a schwa /ə/ and the final is an /ɹ/ with a light /z/ plural ending. Tip: keep the '/ŋ/' nasal for the first consonant cluster, then a crisp '/k/' followed by a relaxed '/ə/' and an /r/ before the final /z/. For US speakers, note the rhotic /r/ in US English can be more pronounced in linked speech.
Common errors include misplacing stress (e.g., saying /ˈkɒŋ.kəˈrɔːz/), mispronouncing the middle /kə/ as /koʊ/ or /kuː/, and turning the final /z/ into /s/ in rapid speech. Correct by keeping the first syllable stressed, use a relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable, and finish with a clear /z/ voicing. Practice with slow articulation: /ˈkɒŋ.kə.rəz/ and then connect smoothly.
In US English, /ˈkɔŋ.kɚ.ɚz/ or /ˈkɒŋ.kɚ.ɚz/ with rhotic r; UK typically /ˈkɒŋ.kə.rəz/ with a non-rhotic or subtle post-vocalic r; Australian usually /ˈkɒŋ.kə.ɹəz/ with a tapped or approximant r and a schwa in the second syllable. The vowel quality and r-coloring differ; final /ɹ/ may be less rhotic in some UK dialects. Listen for the difference in the second vowel and the final r-colored vowel.
Difficulties include the 'ŋk' cluster after the initial vowel, the mid syllable schwa, and the final /əz/ sequence, which can blur in rapid speech. The cluster requires precise tongue position to avoid an unnecessary extra vowel. The r-colored ending in rhotic accents can also complicate timing and rhythm. Focus on maintaining the /ŋk/ blend and a crisp final /z/.
A unique feature is the two-stage consonant cluster starting with /ŋ/ then /k/, followed by a light /ər/ sequence before the final /z/. This creates a three-node consonant transition that can trip up learners who treat 'con' and 'quer' as separate syllables. Keep the /ŋk/ tightly integrated, then move quickly to /ə/ before the rhotic or non-rhotic ending.
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Conqueror comes from the Medieval Latin conquirere, combining com- 'together' or 'with' and quaerere 'to seek' (ultimately related to 'to seek out'). The form conquered later, from Old French conquerre, entered English in the 13th–14th centuries. In its earliest uses, conqueror referred to someone who subdues or gains mastery over lands, people, or territories, often by force or superior strategy. Over time, the word broadened to describe anyone who overcomes a difficult objective or challenge, not solely in warfare. The plural conquerors developed as a straightforward -s pluralization of conqueror, retaining the sense of multiple agents who achieve dominance. Throughout history, the term acquired nuances tied to empire-building, religious expansion, and competitive mastery in various domains, including exploration, politics, and intellect. By 17th–18th century literature, conqueror often carried a morally ambiguous aura—admiration for achievement, yet critique of conquest and subjugation. Modern usage spans historical, literary, business, and metaphorical contexts, retaining the core idea of achieving dominance through persistent effort or force.
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Words that rhyme with "conquerors"
-ter sounds
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