overshadow

[ oh-ver-shad-oh ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈʃæd oʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR overshadow ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to be more important or significant by comparison: For years he overshadowed his brother.
to cast a shadow over; cover with shadows, clouds, darkness, etc.; darken or obscure: clouds overshadowing the moon.
to make sad or hang heavily over; cast a pall on: a disappointment that overshadowed their last years.
Archaic. to shelter or protect.

Origin of overshadow

before 900; Middle English overshadewen, Old English ofersceadwian. See over-, shadow

OTHER WORDS FROM overshadow

o·ver·shad·ow·er, noun o·ver·shad·ow·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby overshadow

oversensitive, overset, oversew, oversexed, overshade, overshadow, overshare, overshine, overshirt, overshoe, overshoot

Words related to overshadow

outweigh, dim, dwarf, eclipse, dominate, cloud, bedim, darken, preponderate, overcast, excel, rule, outshine, haze, obfuscate, command, adumbrate, surpass, govern, becloud

Example sentences from the Web for overshadow

British Dictionary definitions for overshadow

overshadow
/ (ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ) /

verb (tr)

to render insignificant or less important in comparison
to cast a shadow or gloom over