What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overshadow
Example
The success of the new product overshadowed the previous one. [overshadowed: past tense]
Example
The tall building overshadowed the small park. [overshadowed: past participle]
overwhelm
Example
I was overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to do. [overwhelmed: past tense]
Example
The beauty of the sunset overwhelmed me with emotion. [overwhelmed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than overshadow in everyday language. Overwhelm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overshadow is less common and refers to a specific situation where something is more prominent than another.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overshadow and overwhelm?
Both overshadow and overwhelm can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, overshadow may be considered slightly more formal due to its specificity and less frequent usage.
