Word Study
overshadow
CIDE DICTIONARY
overshadow, v. t. [Cf. Overshade. ].
- To throw a shadow, or shade, over; to darken; to obscure. [1913 Webster]"There was a cloud that overshadowed them." [1913 Webster]
- To cover with a superior influence; to be viewed as more important than. Milton. [1913 Webster]
- To cause to be sad or disappointing; to cast a sad shadow on; as, an accidental death overshadowed the joy of the festival. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
overshadow, v.tr.
1 appear much more prominent or important than.
2 cast into the shade; shelter from the sun.
1 appear much more prominent or important than.
2 cast into the shade; shelter from the sun.
Etymology
OE ofersceadwian (as OVER-, SHADOW)
THESAURUS
overshadow
adumbrate, becloud, bedarken, bedim, befog, begloom, bemist, bestraddle, bestride, black, black out, blacken, blight, block the light, blot out, brown, cast a shadow, clabber up, clear, cloud, cloud over, cloud up, command, cover, curtain, darken, darken over, dim, dim out, diminish, dominate, draw the curtains, dwarf, eclipse, encloud, encompass with shadow, enmist, excel, extinguish, fake out, fog, gloom, haze, impair, look down upon, mar, minimize, mist, murk, nubilate, obfuscate, obnubilate, obscure, obumbrate, occult, occultate, outshine, outtop, overarch, overcast, overcloud, overlook, oversmoke, overtop, put down, put to shame, rise above, ruin, screen, shade, shadow, show up, shutter, smog, smoke, somber, spoil, surmount, top, tower above, tower over, veilROGET THESAURUS
overshadow
Repute
VB be conscious of glory, be proud of, exult, be vain of, be distinguished, shine, shine forth, figure, cut a figure, make a dash, make a splash, rival, surpass, outshine, outrival, outvie, outjump, emulate, eclipse, throw into the shade, cast into the shade, overshadow, live, flourish, glitter, flaunt, gain honor, acquire honor, play first fiddle, bear the palm, bear the bell, lead the way, take precedence, take the wall of, gain laurels, win laurels, gain spurs, gain golden opinions, take one's degree, pass one's examination, make a noise, make some noise, make a noise in the world, leave one's mark, exalt one's horn, blow one's horn, star it, have a run, be run after, come into vogue, come to the front, raise one's head, enthrone, signalize, immortalize, deify, exalt to the skies, hand one's name down to posterity, consecrate, dedicate to, devote to, enshrine, inscribe, blazon, lionize, blow the trumpet, crown with laurel, confer honor on, reflect honor on, shed a luster on, redound, to one's honor, ennoble, give honor to, do honor to, pay honor to, render honor to, honor, accredit, pay regard to, dignify, glorify, sing praises to, lock up to, exalt, aggrandize, elevate, nobilitate.Disrepute
VB be inglorious, incur disgrace, have a bad name, earn a bad name, put a halter round one's neck, wear a halter round one's neck, disgrace oneself, expose oneself, play second fiddle, lose caste, pale one's ineffectual fire, recede into the shade, fall from one's high estate, keep in the background, be conscious of disgrace, look blue, look foolish, look like a fool, cut a poor figure, cut a sorry figure, laugh on the wrong side of the mouth, make a sorry face, go away with a flea in, one's ear, slink away, cause shame, shame, disgrace, put to shame, dishonor, throw dishonor upon, cast dishonor upon, fling dishonor upon, reflect dishonor upon, be a reproach, to, derogate from, tarnish, stain, blot sully, taint, discredit, degrade, debase, defile, beggar, expel, impute shame to, brand, post, stigmatize, vilify, defame, slur, cast a slur upon, hold up to shame, send to Coventry, tread under foot, trample under foot, show up, drag through the mire, heap dirt upon, reprehend, bring low, put down, snub, take down a peg, take down a peg lower, take down a peg or two, obscure, eclipse, outshine, take the shine out of, throw into the shade, cast into the shade, overshadow, leave in the background, put in the background, push into a corner, put one's nose out of joint, put out, put out of countenance, upset, throw off one's center, discompose, disconcert, put to the blush.Darkness
VB be dark, darken, obscure, shade, dim, tone down, lower, overcast, overshadow, eclipse, obfuscate, offuscate, obumbrate, adumbrate, cast into the shade becloud, bedim, bedarken, cast a shade, throw a shade, spread a shade, cast a shadow, cast a gloom, throw a shadow, spread a shadow, cast gloom, throw gloom, spread gloom, extinguish, put out, blow out, snuff out, doubt, turn out the lights, douse the lights, dim the lights, turn off the lights, switch off the lights.For further exploring for "overshadow" in Webster Dictionary Online