The difference between Overshadow and Upstage

When used as verbs, overshadow means to obscure something by casting a shadow, whereas upstage means to draw attention away from others, especially on-stage.


Upstage is also noun with the meaning: the part of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera.

Upstage is also adverb with the meaning: toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage.

Upstage is also adjective with the meaning: at the rear of a stage.

check bellow for the other definitions of Overshadow and Upstage

  1. Overshadow as a verb (transitive):

    To obscure something by casting a shadow.

  2. Overshadow as a verb (transitive):

    To dominate something and make it seem insignificant.

  3. Overshadow as a verb (transitive):

    To shelter or protect.

  1. Upstage as a noun (theatre):

    The part of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera.

  1. Upstage as an adverb:

    toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage.

    Examples:

    "The actor turned and walked upstage."

  2. Upstage as an adverb:

    away from a motion-picture or television camera.

  1. Upstage as an adjective:

    At the rear of a stage.

    Examples:

    "The minimalist play used no upstage scenery."

  1. Upstage as a verb (transitive):

    To draw attention away from others, especially on-stage.

    Examples:

    "She only wore that dress to upstage everyone."

  2. Upstage as a verb (transitive):

    To force other actors to face away from the audience by staying upstage.

  3. Upstage as a verb (transitive):

    To treat snobbishly.

  4. Upstage as a verb (medicine, transitive):

    To restage (cancer) to a higher stage than that found at last assessment (compare downstage).