overshadow

Meanings

Verb

be greater in significance than
- "the tragedy overshadowed the couple's happiness"
make appear small by comparison
cast a shadow upon
- "The tall tree overshadowed the house"
To obscure something by casting a shadow.
To dominate something and make it seem insignificant.
To shelter or protect.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English overshadwen, overshadewen, from Old English ofersċeadwian (“to overshadow”), equivalent to over- + shadow. Cognate with West Frisian oerskaduwe (“to overshadow”), Dutch overschaduwen (“to overshadow”), German überschatten (“to overshadow”), Gothic 𐌿𐍆𐌰𐍂𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌳𐍅𐌾𐌰𐌽 (ufarskadwjan, “to overshadow”). Compare also Old Norse yfirskyggja (“to overshadow”), Danish overskygge (“to overshadow”), Swedish överskugga (“to overshadow”), Old English ofersċūwan (“to overshadow”).

Synonyms

dominate, dwarf, eclipse, outdo, outmatch, outshadow, outshine, outstrip, put to shame, shadow, surpass, upstage

Scrabble Score: 20

overshadow is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
overshadow is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
overshadow is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

overshadow is a valid Words With Friends word