outweigh

verb

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

transitive verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Cultural Toll The U.S. may still be the ultimate prize, but for many international artists and their teams, the cost of chasing it is starting to outweigh the payoff. Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025 Members of the party insist that short-term pain will be outweighed by the long-term benefits of the move, which Trump says is meant to usher in a new era of American prosperity. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025 While levels of trust in the U.S. decreased in the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, trust in the U.S. nevertheless outweighed distrust in the U.S. in seven out of the 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Apr. 2025 With card rates so high, dealing with that debt arguably outweighs any other financial goal ‒ including savings. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outweigh

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outweigh was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outweigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outweigh. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

outweigh

verb
out·​weigh -ˈwā How to pronounce outweigh (audio)
: to be greater than in weight, value, or importance
the benefits outweigh the disadvantages
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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