Meaning & Definition
verb
To be greater in weight, value, significance, or importance than something else.
The benefits of the new policy outweigh the potential drawbacks.
To surpass in importance or influence.
Her talent for music outweighs her lack of formal training.
To exceed in weight.
In this comparison, the heavier package will outweigh the lighter one.
To counterbalance; to offset.
The joy of the surprise party will outweigh the stress of planning it.
To surpass in degree or measure.
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
Slang Meanings
to be more important in a casual context
When deciding on dinner, the ease of ordering takeout outweighed cooking.
to have more impact in a discussion
In the debate, his arguments outweighed her points.