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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 In practice, that means being able to manufacture for others without trying to overshadow them. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Albeit a tasty pastry, the polenta cake was overshadowed by the sherbet, bringing me back for spoon after spoon, each little taste unlocking a new world of tomato flavor. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 For Kumari, the investigation is now overshadowed by the loss of her only child. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Her Oscars triumph was also the night of the notorious Will Smith-Chris Rock on-stage slap, which overshadowed coverage. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overshadow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overshadow
  1. obscure
  2. outweigh
  3. darken
  4. blur
  5. blacken
Verb
  • Faces were often obscured with colored dots, to draw the viewer’s attention away from an image’s central figures to the surrounding elements.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, on balance, the negative news has served to obscure the good, both for individual consumers and the nation at large.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscure
Verb
  • The Marquette poll found 71% of adults said the costs of building data centers outweigh the benefits, up from 62% in January.
    — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • These cities and towns promised better jobs, cheaper homes, less traffic and higher quality of life, outweighing Florida’s allure of tropical weather and ease of getting by on Spanish alone.
    — Elliot Spagat, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of outweigh
Verb
  • Add kale and cook, stirring often, until darkened in color and very tender, 7–9 minutes (garlic will break into even smaller pieces).
    — Carla Lalli Music, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pour in the tomato puree, mix gently, partially cover, and cook until the puree darkens and thickens and has mostly been absorbed by the rice, about 3 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of darken
Verb
  • Many potential solutions — like features that would blur peoples’ faces automatically when recording or require their legal consent before uploading videos — would be challenging to implement and still wouldn’t fully address the risks.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • That result remains etched in the standings but is finally blurred from McVay's mind.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of blur
Verb
  • On Tuesday, a silver cross on a long chain hung from the pine tree’s bark, which was peeling and blackened from the blaze.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The blaze blackened about 25 acres near the Getty Center before firefighters got the upper hand on it.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of blacken

Browse Nearby Words

oversexed
overshadow
overshadowed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overshadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overshadow. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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