Answer: TRIUMPH (7 letters)

Why “Triumph” Fits

The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “prove superior.” The answer, TRIUMPH, fits perfectly:

• Prove superior: Triumph means to achieve victory or success, to prevail over others, or to demonstrate superiority — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
• Direct match: With seven letters, triumph fits the enumeration precisely.
• Precise meaning: The term conveys the sense of overcoming challenges, opposition, or difficulty to achieve dominance, success, or victory.

The word triumph has a deep-rooted history reflecting its association with victory and celebration:

• Origin and usage: Derived from Latin triumphus, meaning a ceremony celebrating victory in ancient Rome, the word entered Middle English via Old French in the 14th century.

Contexts:

• Victory or achievement: “The team triumphed after a hard-fought match.”
• Emotional or moral success: “She triumphed over adversity with courage and resolve.”
• Metaphorical sense: Expressing satisfaction or joy from success — “His smile was one of pure triumph.”

Examples:

• “Science triumphed in the battle against disease.”
• “The film was a triumph of imagination.”
• “They triumphed against all odds.”

In quick crosswords like “Prove superior (7),” the clue operates as a direct definition clue — simple but precise:

• Definition: The phrase “prove superior” directly translates to triumph, the act of winning or prevailing.
• Clue type: Straightforward vocabulary-based clue, common in quick crosswords, testing a solver’s familiarity with synonyms for success or victory.
• Typical pairing: Similar clues may use “succeed,” “win,” “prevail,” or “come out on top” to lead to triumph.
• As no wordplay indicators are present, this clue relies purely on definitional accuracy and linguistic association.