overshadow
/əʊvəˈʃadəʊ
/verb [with object]
1Tower above and cast a shadow over: an enormous oak tree stood overshadowing the cottage...
- The petals from the surrounding cherry blossoms were falling, as the shadow of Tokyo Tower overshadowed us.
- The focus of his meditation is the lighthouse that rears up from within the complex; in rectifying the lapses of the Pallavas, this tower also overshadows the cave temple of Mahishasura-mardini.
- The giant pole has been erected just inside the boundary wall of the ESB depot but it completely overshadows the adjacent town library and it towers over a seated picnic area in the immediate vicinity.
Synonyms
shade, darken, conceal, obscure, block out, obliterate, eclipse, screen, shroud, veil, mantle, cloak, mask;
dominate, command, overlook
1.1Cast gloom over: it is easy to let this feeling of tragedy overshadow his story...
- Whatever the case, it's a sign of our miserabilist times that precisely the time of year when there is the most fun to be had is overshadowed by tales of gloom.
- Despite the gloom that's overshadowed the sector for a while, he believes that there are reasons to be hopeful.
- Investor gloom may well overshadow improving economic fundamentals through the summer.
Synonyms
cast gloom over, blight, take the pleasure out of, bring a note of sadness to, take the edge off, mar, spoil, ruin
2Appear more prominent or important than: his competitive nature often overshadows the other qualities...
- With just five weeks to go before the midterm elections, the talk of war appears to be overshadowing other issues, such as the economy and Social Security.
- The dilemmas with which they had previously wrestled appear to be momentarily overshadowed by their new horizons.
- Routine modernization and the recapitalization of legacy systems appear to overshadow programs that could yield disruptive innovation.
2.1Be more impressive or successful than (another person): he was always overshadowed by his brilliant elder brother...
- And his parents always caught him at the wrong times - and then there was always Quasim to overshadow him and make everything worse.
- I can't be on same stage with him because he overshadows me.
- I believe that a good film is always the result of team work where each one has a part to play and no one overshadows anyone.
Synonyms
outshine, eclipse, put in the shade, surpass, exceed, excel, be superior to, outclass, outstrip, outdo, top, cap, trump, transcend, tower above/over, dwarf, upstage, shame, put to shame, outdistance, lead
informal be head and shoulders above, be a cut above
archaic extinguish
Origin
Old English ofersceadwian (see over-, shadow).