1 outweigh | Definition of outweigh

outweigh

verb
out·​weigh | \ ˌau̇t-ˈwā How to pronounce outweigh (audio) \
outweighed; outweighing; outweighs

Definition of outweigh

transitive verb

: to exceed in weight, value, or importance the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

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Examples of outweigh in a Sentence

She outweighs her sister by 10 pounds. This issue outweighs all others in importance.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the lingering threat of Zika (which has been downgraded, but still concerns me), the long days in the heat and the risk of getting sick from drinking water all combined to outweigh the benefits of traveling to Central America. Julia Ainsley, NBC News, "How getting sick on live TV, 7 weeks pregnant, sparked a Know Your Value moment," 10 Sep. 2019 Though the Steelers, under head coach Mike Tomlin, had gotten tremendous performance out of Brown, the player’s disruptive, selfish behavior began to outweigh the talent and the team was done with him. Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Was Antonio Brown saga a ploy? A Patriots game? Or just Raiders as usual?," 7 Sep. 2019 When used for medical reasons, the therapeutic benefits seem to outweigh the health risks. Sandra Woien, The Conversation, "Should investors buy marijuana stocks?," 29 Aug. 2019 At times, Clemson looked like an out-of-place, wiry middle school kid, getting tossed around in physical coverage by players who outweighed him by 30-to-40 pounds. oregonlive.com, "Darrius Clemons, 2022 Westview WR, garnering national attention, visiting Beavers, Ducks," 28 Aug. 2019 The gravitino predicted by supergravity has also been posited as a candidate for the mysterious dark matter thought to outweigh the universe’s visible matter by about a factor of five. Philip Ball, Scientific American, "Supergravity Snags Super Award: $3-Million Special Breakthrough Prize," 6 Aug. 2019 In this way, the novel’s focus on establishing a meaning for Stella’s life—and, moreover, for the narrator’s—comes to outweigh its stated goal of reclaiming the older woman’s reputation. Rachael Allen, The Atlantic, "Reconstructing the Memories of Aging Matriarchs," 1 Aug. 2019 Generally, a team looks the other way and ignores such antics as long as the on-field production warrants it, then moves on when the headaches outweigh the gratification of the football results. Mark Maske, courant.com, "The Raiders are experiencing the full force of Antonio Brown’s diva receiver act," 11 Aug. 2019 Generally, a team looks the other way and ignores such antics as long as the on-field production warrants it, then moves on when the headaches outweigh the gratification of the football results. Mark Maske, chicagotribune.com, "Analysis: The Raiders are experiencing the full force of Antonio Brown’s diva act," 11 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outweigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of outweigh

1534, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for outweigh

outweigh

verb

English Language Learners Definition of outweigh

: to be greater than (someone or something) in weight, value, or importance

outweigh

verb
out·​weigh | \ au̇t-ˈwā How to pronounce outweigh (audio) \
outweighed; outweighing

Kids Definition of outweigh

: to be greater than in weight or importance The benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

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More from Merriam-Webster on outweigh

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with outweigh

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for outweigh

Spanish Central: Translation of outweigh

Britannica English: Translation of outweigh for Arabic Speakers