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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overshadowsimple
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overshadowssimple
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have overshadowedperfect
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has overshadowedperfect
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am overshadowingprogressive
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are overshadowingprogressive
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is overshadowingprogressive
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have been overshadowingperfect progressive
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has been overshadowingperfect progressive
Past
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overshadowedsimple
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had overshadowedperfect
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was overshadowingprogressive
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were overshadowingprogressive
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had been overshadowingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overshadow
before 900; Middle English overshadewen, Old English ofersceadwian. See over-, shadow
Explanation
To overshadow is to appear more important or larger than something else. Your sister's tendency to interrupt and speak loudly sometimes overshadows what a caring person she is. You can use this verb in a very literal way, to mean "cast a shadow over something smaller," like the enormous oak tree in your yard that overshadows your small house. It's also possible to figuratively overshadow, like when your worry about next week's math test overshadows the happiness you feel waking up to a snow day. One person can overshadow another too, when they appear more interesting, successful, or attractive.
Vocabulary lists containing overshadow
You Call This Democracy?
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Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 2
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Death on the River of Doubt
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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.
But the chaotic geopolitical scene is likely to overshadow such considerations at this year's meeting.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
At the time, the Iaquinta fight was eclipsed by the exact kind of theatrics that the UFC values and that increasingly overshadow the sport itself.
From Slate • Jun. 14, 2026
Against that backdrop, news of the leadership shift seemed to overshadow upbeat earnings results for the company.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
Discontent among the Poles already threatens to overshadow an upcoming conference on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction scheduled later this month in the northern Polish city of Gdansk.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
No amount of spire-fighting trophies could overshadow that.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
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.
