overshadow
Americanverb (used with object)
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to be more important or significant by comparison.
For years he overshadowed his brother.
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to cast a shadow over; cover with shadows, clouds, darkness, etc.; darken or obscure.
clouds overshadowing the moon.
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to make sad or hang heavily over; cast a pall on.
a disappointment that overshadowed their last years.
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Archaic. to shelter or protect.
verb
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to render insignificant or less important in comparison
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to cast a shadow or gloom over
Other Word Forms
- overshadower noun
- overshadowingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of overshadow
before 900; Middle English overshadewen, Old English ofersceadwian. See over-, shadow
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He could find himself dissenting against policies he considers reckless—an extraordinary step that could overshadow any rate decision.
The stock slumped 20% last year, with broadband subscriber losses overshadowing everything else.
From Barron's
The bank is scheduled to publish its full-year results on Thursday, an announcement which will now be overshadowed by the raids.
From BBC
Global markets were mixed as U.S. futures largely gained, with anticipation of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments overshadowed by the dollar’s continued selloff.
Chatterjee noted that shares have trailed behind the broader market over the past two months alone, as investor concerns have taken center stage, overshadowing positive data on sales of the iPhone 17.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
