overshadow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overshadow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where one thing is more prominent or significant than another, often diminishing the importance of the latter. Example: "The success of the new product overshadowed the challenges faced by the company in the previous quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They also got a leader and genuine role model whose beacon of good citizenship shone all the brighter through times when the off-field trials at St Kilda threatened to overshadow a sustained period of excellence on it.

The Guardian - Sport

But it shouldn't overshadow the spirit of the rest of Ed Miliband's message, with his pledge to "change the way the country's run and who it's run for".

The Guardian - Opinion

Shorten said the government under both Rudd and Gillard achieved a lot, but just "let our division overshadow it".

The Guardian

I have not seen the detail yet, but it sounds like a reasonably significant deployment, and one that will overshadow the Pfizer exchanges.

The Guardian

Amplino has also teamed up with a couple of Dutch partners to help develop the prototype further but it's been a balancing act to make sure they don't overshadow the original goal of developing a cheap, robust malaria test.

The Guardian

Mr Fuller said there had been "attempts to glamorise" the Tonbridge robbery but the huge amount involved should not overshadow the human cost of the raid, during which the depot manager, Colin Dixon, his wife, Lynn, son, Craig and 14 Securitas workers were held hostage.

The Guardian

This minority of people far overshadow the many law-abiding citizens who are genuinely outraged by Duggan's death and are peacefully awaiting their owed explanation from the Met.

The Guardian - Opinion

A month or two ago the appearance of Greg Hurst's biography of Kennedy, with its promised revelation of treachery at the highest level, threatened to overshadow the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton.

The Guardian - Opinion

At times the production bling threatens to overshadow the story.

The Guardian

In fact, in some respects, they overshadow the campaigns.

The Economist

Although the contents of the document were supposed to be confidential, copies were soon in the hands of the media.The result was an acrimonious row, which threatens to overshadow the opening of the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overshadow" when you want to emphasize that one thing is so prominent that it diminishes the significance of something else.

Common error

Avoid using "overshadow" when you intend to convey a positive or enhancing effect. "Overshadow" typically implies a reduction in importance or a negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overshadow" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of something becoming more prominent and thereby diminishing the significance of something else. As Ludwig AI also confirms, this word is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overshadow" functions as a transitive verb indicating that something is more prominent or significant than something else, thereby diminishing its importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression in English. It is frequently found in news and media sources, often serving to emphasize a disparity in importance. While it can be used in more formal contexts, it is important to avoid using "overshadow" to describe a positive or enhancing effect, as its usage implies a reduction in significance. Alternative expressions include "dominate", "eclipse", and "outshine".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overshadowed by

Passive voice construction emphasizing the act of being overshadowed.

dominate

This term suggests a position of power and control, making something else seem less important.

eclipse

Similar to "overshadow", but often implies a temporary obscuring of importance or visibility.

outshine

To surpass in excellence or achievement, making something else appear less impressive.

cast a shadow over

Implies a negative impact, darkening or diminishing the positivity of something else.

dwarf

To cause to appear small or insignificant in comparison.

diminish the importance of

Directly indicates a reduction in significance.

pale in comparison

To seem weak or unimportant when compared to something else.

take precedence over

Indicates a higher priority or importance, thereby diminishing the focus on something else.

take center stage

To become the main focus, relegating other things to the background.

FAQs

How to use "overshadow" in a sentence?

Use "overshadow" to indicate that something is more prominent or significant than something else, diminishing its importance. For example, "The scandal threatened to "overshadow" the company's achievements".

What can I say instead of "overshadow"?

You can use alternatives like "dominate", "eclipse", or "outshine" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "overshadow" or "shadow"?

"Overshadow" implies a greater degree of dominance or importance, while "shadow" simply means to cast a shadow on something. Use ""overshadow"" when something's importance is diminished.

What's the difference between "overshadow" and "obscure"?

"Overshadow" means to appear more prominent, while "obscure" means to hide or make less clear. "Overshadow" emphasizes relative importance, while "obscure" focuses on visibility or clarity.