# outweigh

/ˈaʊtˌweɪ/ (US) · /aʊtwˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/outweigh
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. more important or valuable

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to be more important or have a greater effect than something else.

For teachers: to exceed another factor in importance, value, or influence. This transitive verb is frequently used in analytical contexts to compare pros and cons.

- The benefits of the new job outweigh the long commute every morning.
- Economists argue that the long-term environmental benefits of the policy far outweigh the initial costs to the manufacturing sector.

Usage: Commonly used in the passive voice or in comparative structures involving 'benefits' and 'risks'.

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.