overshadow

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈsha-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce overshadow (audio)
Definition of overshadownext
1
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct large trees overshadow the yard and darken the house for much of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to outweigh
to be greater in importance than later you'll find that verbal skills overshadow any skills you have at video games

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overshadow But at such a high proof, the heat ultimately wins out and overshadows everything else. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026 However, the practice was overshadowed by a significant injury list, sidelining key players like Josh Jacobs and Luke Musgrave. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 All of that was fine with Kuechly, to be overshadowed a little bit. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 But Putin has carefully chosen prime ministers who do not have a strong power base and cannot overshadow him. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overshadow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overshadow
  1. obscure
  2. outweigh
  3. darken
  4. blur
  5. blacken
Verb
  • In the years since Shakur’s murder, what exactly happened in that hail of bullets -- and who pulled the trigger -- was obscured by a lack of physical evidence, feuding cops and the gangland code of silence.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Once there, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf watch as the butterfly approaches the outstretched hand of a woman whose face is obscured, before the ominous presence crushes it in her hands.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • Research indicates one in-person meeting can deliver the impact of three virtual ones, with many finding the commercial return outweighs travel costs.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As with Christmas, the logistical wrangling can outweigh the enjoyment, at least for the cowboys.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of outweigh
Verb
  • The sky darkened suddenly, as if it had been turned down by a dimmer switch, and Decoteau frowned at a weather app on his phone.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The funeral was held less than a week after her signature song served as the soundtrack at celebrations marking a total eclipse that darkened skies across parts of Europe.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of darken
Verb
  • Combining archival and original footage, and blurring the categories of documentary essay and the poetic avant-garde, Pelechian’s visionary works revolve around a grand recurring theme of humankind’s tumultuous relationship to the natural world.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But this summer, the lines between business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) marketing became increasingly blurred.
    — Taylor Cheek-Mundy, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of blur
Verb
  • Timber Fire Monterey County’s Timber Fire burning near Big Sur has blackened nearly 2,500 acres since its start Monday afternoon and is 5% contained.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The old silver and gold shops, their facades blackened by time, were gone.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of blacken

Browse Nearby Words

oversexed
overshadow
overshadowed
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Cite this Entry

“Overshadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overshadow. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overshadow

Nglish: Translation of overshadow for Spanish Speakers

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