overshadow

/ˌˈoʊvərˌˈʃædoʊ/

/əʊvəˈʃædəʊ/

Other forms: overshadowed; overshadowing; overshadows

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.

Definitions of overshadow

1. verb

   cast a shadow upon
   “The tall tree overshadowed the house”

   types:

   eclipse, occult

   cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention

   type of:

   becloud, befog, cloud, fog, haze over, mist, obnubilate, obscure

   make less visible or unclear
2. verb

   be greater in significance than
   “the tragedy overshadowed the couple's happiness”

   synonyms: dominate, eclipse

   type of:

   brood, bulk large, hover, loom

   hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
3. verb

   make appear small by comparison
   synonyms: dwarf, shadow

   type of:

   command, dominate, overlook, overtop

   look down on