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.
The Wi-Fi woes overshadowed an otherwise luxe trip.
As for Workday, shares have slumped since the end of February, when better-than-expected earnings were overshadowed by weak guidance and a disappointing year-end subscription backlog.
From Barron's
Read: Rocket Lab’s stock slides as yet another rocket delay overshadows ‘record year’
From MarketWatch
The matriarch of the Mitford clan has been overshadowed by the glamorous daughters who caused her no small amount of grief.
While Friday’s jobs report would normally be the highlight for its potential effect on the Federal Reserve’s decision-making, it will likely be overshadowed by the impact of oil prices on inflation.
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.
