Surpass (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: WIPEOUT (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Surpass" with 7 letters is "WIPEOUT".Wipeout refers to surpassing something in a dramatic or overwhelming way, often used in contexts where someone outperforms others or completely dominates a situation. It can also describe a total defeat or overwhelming success, as in surpassing expectations by a large margin.
Why “Wipeout” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “surpass.” The answer, WIPEOUT, fits exactly:
- Surpass: Wipeout informally means to defeat completely or outperform someone decisively — thus exceeding or surpassing them entirely.
- Direct match: With seven letters, wipeout precisely fits the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: The word conveys total domination, success, or overcoming a rival or obstacle, aligning closely with the sense of surpassing others.
The term wipeout has evolved from its literal roots into idiomatic modern usage:
- Origin and usage: Originally a 20th-century American slang term meaning “erasure” or “total defeat.” It emerged from surfing culture, where a wipeout means falling off a board, but in broader language, it also connotes completely outperforming or overwhelming something.
- Contexts: Common in sports, competition, and casual speech to describe total success or domination.
- Examples: “The underdog team achieved a complete wipeout of their rivals,” or “The company’s innovation led to a market wipeout of older models.”
Quick crossword clues like “surpass (7)” often use modern or informal verbs and nouns denoting overwhelming success:
Alternatives like exceed (6) or outdo (5) might seem fitting, but wipeout offers a stronger, more vivid expression of surpassing by eliminating competition.
The informal tone of “surpass” hints at a figurative sense rather than a literal comparison, guiding solvers toward wipeout.
With perfect enumeration, linguistic color, and idiomatic precision, wipeout is the correct crossword solution.
