overshadow

/ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈʃædəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈsha-(ˌ)dō/ (ame, mw)

overshadow — verb

  • overshadowpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overshadowshe / she / it
  • overshadowedpast simple
  • overshadowing-ing form

1. to draw attention or emotional force away from a person, event, or achievement,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to draw attention or emotional force away from a person, event, or achievement, making it seem less important, successful, or enjoyable.

例句

The scandal overshadowed the singer's charity concert that weekend.

bad news overshadows an event

Kemi's ankle injury overshadowed the team's first win of spring.

同義詞
  • eclipse

    slightly more formal and often suggests one thing completely taking the spotlight

  • outshine

    usually focuses on looking better or more impressive, not on making an event sadder

  • dampen

    only covers reducing pleasure or excitement, not reducing importance

反義詞
  • highlight

    to direct attention toward something instead of taking it away

  • draw attention to

    plain expression for making something more noticeable

文法句型

overshadow + noun

problem/scandal/injury + overshadow + event or success

be overshadowed by + noun

用法筆記

Often used when trouble or stronger public attention makes a positive event feel smaller. It can also describe a powerful rival, product, or issue making another person or group seem less important. Distinguish this from sense 2, which is only about real sunlight being blocked.

常見錯誤

❌The scandal overshadowed on her success.
✅The scandal overshadowed her success.
💡overshadow takes a direct object, not 'on'.
❌The award night was overshadowed with the argument.
✅The award night was overshadowed by the argument.
💡use 'by' after the passive form.

2. of a tall building, to stand so high beside another place that it stops sunlight

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

of a tall building, to stand so high beside another place that it stops sunlight from reaching it.

例句

The new tower overshadows the kindergarten playground every morning.

building + overshadows + place

A forty-storey block overshadowed the old shops across the street.

同義詞
  • shade

    more common in everyday English for blocking light

  • loom over

    emphasises the large building above something more than the loss of sun

  • block the sun from

    plain explanation rather than a single-word synonym

反義詞

文法句型

building + overshadow + place/building

be overshadowed by + building

用法筆記

This sense is literal and usually appears in planning or building contexts. The subject is normally a high building, and the object is a nearby home, yard, window, or public space that loses direct sun.

常見錯誤

❌The tower overshadowed on our balcony.
✅The tower overshadowed our balcony.
💡overshadow takes a direct object here.
❌The flats are overshadowed from the new mall.
✅The flats are overshadowed by the new mall.
💡use 'by' in the passive form.