overshadowed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overshadowed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one thing is made less significant or important due to the presence of another thing. Example: "The team's achievements were overshadowed by the controversy surrounding their coach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that progress was overshadowed by gamesmanship.

The New York Times

But they are overshadowed by overwhelming negatives.

The New York Times

By 2005, it was overshadowed by Pixar.

Independent

Painting itself became overshadowed by unconventional media.

The New York Times - Arts

They were overshadowed by familiar rows.

The Economist

That was all overshadowed by Danielo's illness.

The New York Times

Sony's efforts have been overshadowed by Amazon's.

The New York Times - Tech

Now it's overshadowed by monstrous Tel Aviv.

The Guardian

Pettitte's return was overshadowed by Zambrano's emergence.

The New York Times - Sports

Those negotiations were overshadowed by political tension.

The New York Times

Never overshadowed by cynicism or tiredness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overshadowed by", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what is being overshadowed and what is causing the overshadowing.

Common error

Avoid using "overshadowed by" when a situation is only slightly affected. The phrase implies a significant reduction in importance or visibility; use weaker terms like "influenced" or "affected" if the impact is minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overshadowed by" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates that something has become less prominent or significant due to the presence or influence of something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is widely used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overshadowed by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a reduction in prominence or significance due to another factor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse forms of content. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being overshadowed and what is causing the effect. Alternatives such as "eclipsed by" or "dwarfed by" can be used to provide slightly different nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eclipsed by

Implies a more complete obscuring or surpassing of one thing by another.

outshone by

Suggests a brighter or more impressive quality in one thing that diminishes the other.

dwarfed by

Indicates a significant difference in size or importance that makes one thing seem small in comparison.

eclipsed by

Emphasizes complete obscuring or a loss of visibility.

diminished by

Focuses on the reduction in importance or impact.

paled in comparison to

Highlights the relative lack of appeal or significance.

thrown into the shade by

Suggests that something cannot be seen anymore because something else is better.

taken over by

Indicates the dominance and supplanting of one thing by another.

supplanted by

Suggests a formal replacement of one thing by another.

obscured by

Implies that something makes something else less visible or noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "overshadowed by" in a sentence?

Use "overshadowed by" to describe a situation where something is made less significant or important because of something else. For example, "The team's victory was "overshadowed by" the star player's injury".

What are some alternatives to "overshadowed by"?

You can use alternatives like "eclipsed by", "dwarfed by", or "paled in comparison to" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "overshadowed by" or "influenced by"?

"Overshadowed by" implies a more significant diminishment of importance than "influenced by". Use ""overshadowed by"" when something is significantly less noticeable or impactful, and "influenced by" when there is a more subtle effect.

What's the difference between "overshadowed by" and "outshone by"?

"Overshadowed by" suggests that one thing becomes less important or noticed due to the presence of another, while "outshone by" indicates that one thing is superior or more impressive, causing the other to seem less appealing or bright.