overshadow

Universal Words verb [VN] [oftenpassive] 1 to make sb/sth seem less important, or successful: He had always been overshadowed by his elder sister. * Domestic policy was soon overshadowed by political unrest abroad. 2 to make an event less enjoyable than it should be: News of the accident overshadowed the day's events. 3 to throw a shadow over sth: The garden is overshadowed by tall trees.