conquerable
conquerable — adjective
- conquerablepositive
- more conquerablecomparative
- most conquerablesuperlative
1. describes an enemy army, territory, or defensive position that can be beaten in
describes an enemy army, territory, or defensive position that can be beaten in a war or battle, allowing the victor to take control of it.
Noor believed the rebel army was not conquerable, so she urged her government to negotiate.
conquerable + army as subject
The ancient fortress seemed conquerable only by surprise attack at dawn.
During the briefing, the general explained which enemy positions were conquerable with the current troops.
The island's steep cliffs made it less conquerable than the mainland regions to the north.
Historians still debate whether the Mongol empire was conquerable by any force of that era.
- defeatable
Broader in use and slightly more informal; does not imply taking control afterward.
- beatable
Informal; used for opponents in sports or competition rather than full-scale war.
- vincible
Very formal and rare; a direct Latin borrowing mostly found in literary or philosophical writing.
- unconquerable
The direct opposite — cannot be defeated under any circumstances.
- invincible
Stronger than unconquerable; suggests it is impossible to defeat by any means.
用法筆記
Subject is typically a military target — an army, a fortress, a region. The by-phrase names the attacking force. This sense is most common in historical or strategic discussion rather than everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
2. describes a problem, difficulty, fear, or challenge that a person can manage or
describes a problem, difficulty, fear, or challenge that a person can manage or defeat through sustained effort, patience, or skill.
With the right training, Noa found that her fear of public speaking was conquerable.
conquerable + abstract noun (fear)
The team's budget problems were difficult but conquerable with careful planning over three months.
Adisa proved that every difficult exam topic is conquerable when you study step by step.
Tamás told his students that a language barrier is conquerable through daily conversation practice.
The rescue team showed that even the steepest ridge was conquerable with the right gear.
- surmountable
Similar in meaning but slightly more formal; often used for physical obstacles like a hill or a barrier.
- defeatable
Applies to problems as well but has a more negative tone, as if the problem were an opponent.
- beatable
Informal; used for challenges in everyday life such as a bad habit or a video-game level.
- insurmountable
The most common opposite — describes a problem that seems too big to overcome.
- unconquerable
Felt as stronger; suggests the challenge is permanently beyond anyone's power.
用法筆記
Subject is nearly always an abstract noun — a fear, a problem, a difficulty, or a personal limitation. Unlike sense 1, there is no implication of force or takeover; the emphasis is on personal effort.