Meaning & Definition of word "Outweigh"
Outweigh
/aʊtˈweɪ/
verb:
- 1. To be greater in weight, value, significance, or importance than something else.
- Example: The benefits of the new policy outweigh the potential drawbacks.
- 2. To surpass in importance or influence.
- Example: Her talent for music outweighs her lack of formal training.
- 3. To exceed in weight.
- Example: In this comparison, the heavier package will outweigh the lighter one.
- 4. To counterbalance; to offset.
- Example: The joy of the surprise party will outweigh the stress of planning it.
- 5. To surpass in degree or measure.
- Example: The cost of the project may outweigh the potential revenue.
Etymology
●Middle English 'outweghen', from 'out-' + 'weigh'
Common Phrases and Expressions
outweigh the risks:
to be more important than the potential dangers
outweigh the benefits:
to provide more advantages than disadvantages
Related Words
weigh:
to measure the weight of something
balance:
to bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium
Slang Meanings of outweigh
Meaning: to be more important in a casual context
● Example Sentence: When deciding on dinner, the ease of ordering takeout outweighed cooking.
Meaning: to have more impact in a discussion
● Example Sentence: In the debate, his arguments outweighed her points.