Word
outweigh
Phoneticsout·weigh
US/ˈaʊtˌweɪ/
UK/aʊtwˈeɪ/
Definition
v. to be more important or have a greater effect than something else.
v. to exceed another factor in importance, value, or influence. This transitive verb is frequently used in analytical contexts to compare pros and cons.
Examples
“The benefits of the new job outweigh the long commute.”
“Doctors often have to decide if the potential benefits of a surgery outweigh the risks of the procedure.”
“In many policy debates, the immediate economic gains of industrial expansion must be carefully measured to see if they outweigh the long-term environmental consequences for future generations.”
Examples
simple
“The benefits of the new job outweigh the long commute.”
contextual
“Doctors often have to decide if the potential benefits of a surgery outweigh the risks of the procedure.”
complex
“In many policy debates, the immediate economic gains of industrial expansion must be carefully measured to see if they outweigh the long-term environmental consequences for future generations.”
Usage
Commonly used in the passive voice or in comparative structures involving 'benefits' and 'risks'.
Real-World Examples
“Pressure to preserve the family unit can also outweigh women's personal safety.” Etymology
From out- + weigh.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Collocations
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/outweigh