overshadow

UK: /ˌəʊvə^rˈʃædəʊ/ US: /ˌoʊvɚˈʃædoʊ/ ,(ō′vər shad′ō)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•shad•ow /ˌoʊvɚˈʃædoʊ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to be greater than in importance, interest, or significance:
   She was overshadowed by her famous sister.
2. to cast a shadow over;
   darken:
   Clouds overshadowed the moon.
3. to make (someone) sad:
   The tragic death of their children overshadowed their lives.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•shad•ow  (ō′vər shad′ō), v.t. 

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

• Middle English overshadewen, Old English ofersceadwian. See over-, shadow bef. 900

o′ver•shad′ow•er, n. 
o′ver•shad′ow•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. eclipse, outshine, dwarf.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

overshadow / ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/ verb (transitive)

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