verb
overshadow
oh-ver-SHAD-oh/ˌəʊvərˈʃædəʊ/
To make someone or something seem less important or noticeable.
The towering award display overshadows the pianist's performance.
Etymology
Casting a shadow over something easily became making it harder to notice or value.
More examples
- The controversy threatens to overshadow the achievement.
- His older brother's fame overshadows his own work.
Forms
overshadow · overshadows
Similar words
- eclipse
- Suggests surpassing or almost wholly obscuring prominence.
- outshine
- Emphasizes appearing better or brighter by comparison.