outweigh
Americanverb (used with object)
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outweighs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
outweighed,
past participle, past
-
outweighing
present participle
-
to exceed in value, importance, influence, etc..
The advantages of the plan outweighed its defects.
- Synonyms:
- override, eclipse, overshadow, surpass
-
to exceed in weight.
The champion will probably outweigh his opponent.
-
to be too heavy or burdensome for.
Collapse may follow if the load outweighs its supports.
verb
-
to prevail over; overcome
his desire outweighed his discretion
-
to be more important or significant than
-
to be heavier than
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
outweighsimple
-
outweighssimple
-
have outweighedperfect
-
has outweighedperfect
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am outweighingprogressive
-
are outweighingprogressive
-
is outweighingprogressive
-
have been outweighingperfect progressive
-
has been outweighingperfect progressive
Past
-
outweighedsimple
-
had outweighedperfect
-
was outweighingprogressive
-
were outweighingprogressive
-
had been outweighingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of outweigh
Explanation
To outweigh is to be heavier or more important than something (or someone). A preschooler's needs might outweigh those of his uncle, even if the uncle does outweigh him by 200 pounds. Your Great Dane definitely outweighs your kitten, just like your car outweighs your bicycle and you outweigh the ant you just accidentally stepped on. If someone says "the benefits outweigh the risks," they mean that what can be gained is much more significant that what might be lost or risked: "I think you should apply for that scholarship; the benefits really outweigh the risks."
Vocabulary lists containing outweigh
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“If we can slow down the growth of AI, we’ll have more time to ensure the benefits outweigh the harm, and leave everyone better off,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post Sunday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
Critics of AI safety campaigners say those issuing dire warnings overstate the risks of novel technology and that the advances AI enable in workplace productivity, drug discovery and more outweigh the risks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
The chief executive of a major copper development project in North America believes high prices are here to stay and the threats to supply continue to outweigh those to demand.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
Still, that’s different from an existential threat—and it’s even possible that the technology’s benefits could outweigh its risks.
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
To become the Mockingjay . . . could any good 1 do possibly outweigh the damage?
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
The risk outweighs the reward of seeing the car go really fast.
From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026
Javier Pérez came with his family for the opener and told the BBC that the excitement now outweighs any hassles experienced up to this point.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
But as an immigrant, perhaps I’m better placed than others to make the case that America’s greatness far outweighs its faults.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
In their view, if aluminum consumption outweighs its production, inventory drawdowns will have to support the imbalance — which Citigroup says is the main issue currently facing the market.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
The sheer volume of people is nerve-racking, but the joy in being able to leave his flat whenever he chooses outweighs his fear of accidentally bumping into passersby as he attempts to traverse the streets.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
The Postal Service concluded that the cost to the states is outweighed by the benefits of the changes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
The Chinese EV maker remained in the red despite resilient margins, as heavy investment in new models and AI-related tech outweighed profits from its main business and higher-margin services.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Jeff said they drew up a list of the pros and cons and the disadvantages were "far outweighed".
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
By 2014, the program as a whole actually had made money for taxpayers, as the losses were outweighed by repaid loans from companies that had found success.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
This was a school system in which the matter of proximity outweighed such petty concerns as what may or may not be appropriate for a busload of eleven-year-olds.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Cigarette volume grew in Turkey, Indonesia and Egypt, outweighing declines in other markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Emotional value is increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, at times outweighing practical function.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
Crude futures settled lower with market expectations of a resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict outweighing concerns of a renewed flare-up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
On balance, Europe sees the risks of getting directly involved as outweighing the benefits.
From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026
So much for the good outweighing the bad.
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
