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.