What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outshadow
Example
Her talent outshadows everyone else in the competition. [outshadows: verb]
Example
The other team was completely outshadowed by their opponents' skills. [outshadowed: past tense]
Example
The small star was outshadowed by the brightness of the larger star. [outshadowed: past participle]
overshadow
Example
The president's speech was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his recent actions. [overshadowed: past tense]
Example
Her success was overshadowed by her colleague's even greater achievement. [overshadowed: past participle]
Example
The tragic news overshadowed the joyous occasion of their wedding. [overshadowed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overshadow is more commonly used than outshadow in everyday language. Overshadow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while outshadow is less common and refers to a situation where one thing surpasses another.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outshadow and overshadow?
Overshadow is more formal than outshadow. While overshadow can be used in both formal and informal contexts, outshadow is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.
