outweigh

IPA/ˌaʊtˈweɪ/
KK[ˈaʊtwˌe]IPA/ˌaʊtˈweɪ/

outweigh — verb

  • outweighpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • outweighshe / she / it
  • outweighedpast simple
  • outweighing-ing form

1. to count for more than another thing because it is judged to have greater value,

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to count for more than another thing because it is judged to have greater value, force, or importance.

Example

For many parents, safety outweighs the lower price.

pattern: safety outweighs price

The joy of living near the beach outweighed the long drive.

Common collocations
  • benefits outweigh risks
  • advantages outweigh disadvantages
  • outweigh the cost
  • outweigh concerns
  • outweigh the drawbacks
Synonyms
  • exceed

    more general and often used for numbers, amounts, or limits

  • surpass

    slightly more formal and common in measured comparison

  • override

    used when one factor becomes the deciding force rather than simply being greater

Antonyms
  • be outweighed by

    shows the opposite comparison, with another factor having more force

  • count less than

    plain expression for having less importance in a comparison

Grammar Patterns

outweigh + noun

benefits/advantages outweigh + costs/risks

Usage Note

Often used with abstract nouns such as benefits, risks, cost, worry, or advantage. A common pattern compares one reason against another, as in 'benefits outweigh costs' or 'hope outweighs fear'.

Common Mistakes

The benefits outweigh than the cost.
The benefits outweigh the cost.
do not use 'than' after 'outweigh'.
The lower rent outweighed to the long trip.
The lower rent outweighed the long trip.
this verb takes a direct object, not 'to'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Outweigh' is especially useful when two reasons, effects, or values are being balanced against each other, and one has more force in the final judgment. 'Exceed' is broader and often fits numbers, limits, or amounts: costs can exceed the budget. 'Surpass' is a little more formal and often sounds more positive or achievement-focused, as in sales surpassing expectations. 'Override' is different again: it suggests that one factor becomes the deciding one and pushes the others aside. So you can say the benefits outweigh the risks, the bill exceeded our plan, sales surpassed last year's total, and safety concerns overrode convenience.

outweigh ↗exceed ↗surpass ↗override ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • benefits outweigh risks
  • advantages outweigh disadvantages
  • costs outweigh benefits
  • pros outweigh cons
  • worries outweigh hopes

Adverbs

  • clearly outweigh
  • far outweigh
  • greatly outweigh

Phrases

  • outweigh the cost
  • outweigh the danger
  • outweigh concerns about
  • outweigh the possible harm

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The verb was formed in English by adding 'out-' to 'weigh'. 'Weigh' comes from Old English and was connected with carrying and measuring weight. 'Outweigh' first had the literal idea of being heavier, and later widened to the common figurative use for one reason, cost, or benefit having greater force in a comparison.