conquer

verb5

1. •
   to beat an army or a country in war and then rule the people there

   • I lay in the desert beyond all cities and sounds, and above me flowed the River of Silence through the sky; and on the desert’s edge night fought against the Sun, and suddenly conquered. — 1905
2. •
   To overcome an abstract obstacle.

   • Today I conquered my fear of flying by finally boarding a plane.
3. •
   To acquire by force of arms, win in war; to become ruler of; to subjugate.

   • In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.
4. •
   (old-fashioned) To gain, win, or obtain by effort.
5. •
   To become a leader, decisive factor or champion in an area.

   • With her successes, she has truly conquered the committee, all of whose members now defer to her on most issues.
   • It was his campaign manager's strategy that truly conquered the election for him.