2 syllables: con, quest. Stress on con.
KAHNG-kwest
/ˈkɑŋkwɛst/
conquest is pronounced KAHNG-kwest (/ˈkɑŋkwɛst/). It has two syllables (con-quest), with the stress on "con". Conquest refers to the act of gaining control, typically through force or strategic effort, over territory, people, or a situation. It can denote a military victory, the attainment of a challenging objective, or the act of overcoming obstacles to achieve dominance. The term often carries historical or narrative weight, implying decisive achievement and lasting impact.
Conquest refers to the act of gaining control, typically through force or strategic effort, over territory, people, or a situation. It can denote a military victory, the attainment of a challenging objective, or the act of overcoming obstacles to achieve dominance. The term often carries historical or narrative weight, implying decisive achievement and lasting impact.
"The Roman Empire's conquest of Gaul reshaped European history."
"Her conquest of the mountain summit required days of endurance and careful planning."
"The startup's conquest of new markets came after months of focused research and outreach."
Pronounce it as kən-kwest with primary stress on the second syllable: /kənˈkwɛst/. Start with a soft, unstressed schwa in the first syllable, then move to the crisp /wɛst/ with a rounded lips and a quick /k/ release into the /kw/ cluster. In careful speech, you’ll clearly hear the /kw/ and final /st/. Audio reference: near /kənˈkwɛst/ in standard dictionaries.
Two common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress, saying kənˈkwɛst or knə-kwest; ensure the stress is on the second syllable: /kənˈkwɛst/. 2) Slurring the /kw/ into a simple /w/ or /k/ cluster, producing /ˈkwɛst/ or /kɒnˈkwest/. Keep the /kw/ together as a single consonant blend, and enunciate the /st/ at the end for a clean finish.
In US and UK English, the vowel in the stressed syllable is /ɛ/ as in 'net.' Both typically render /kənˈkwɛst/. In some rapid UK speech, you may hear a slightly reduced first vowel /ən/ rather than /kən/. Australian speakers typically preserve the same /kənˈkwɛst/ pattern but with broader vowel qualities; vowel height may be a touch lax, and the /t/ can be flapped in casual speech, though careful diction retains /t/.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kw/ followed by /st/, which requires precise tongue positioning to avoid a muddy blend. The initial unstressed /kən/ can reduce to a weak schwa, making the transition to /kw/ tricky for non-native speakers. Maintaining clear separation between /k/ and /w/ and ensuring the final /st/ is audible without devoicing is essential.
A distinctive feature is the clear, tight /kw/ onset after the unstressed /kən/; many learners slide into /kw/ as /k-w/ or mispronounce as /kwɛst/ without the initial schwa. The intended rhythm places strong emphasis on the second syllable, and the final /st/ must be crisp to avoid sounding like ‘quest’ with a softened ending.
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Conquest comes from the Old French conquest, from Late Latin conquesta, and from the Latin word conquĕstā, from conquirere meaning to seek or win, to gain by effort. The root con- ‘together, with’ and quatere ‘to shake, strike’ evolved to denote winning lands or power through effort and force. In English, conquest appeared in the 12th–13th centuries, initially with military meaning, later broadening to mean territorial or metaphorical victories. The sense of “winning through effort” persisted across eras, with usage expanding into intellectual or personal triumphs. Across Romance-language cognates, similar terms emphasize victory achieved through strategy, strength, or achievement. First known English attestations show conquest in legal and martial contexts, reflecting its roots in warfare and political domination. Over time, it also acquired literary connotations of triumph and achievement, permeating histories, romances, and modern narratives about overcoming challenges. While the word can be neutral, it often implies a hard-won success with lasting consequences, and a sense of conquest that can be celebrated or contested within ethical or historical debates.
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Words that rhyme with "conquest"
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