outweigh

verb

out·​weigh ˌau̇t-ˈwā 

outweighed; outweighing; outweighs

transitive verb

: to exceed in weight, value, or importance

the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

Synonyms of outweigh

• exceed
• overshadow
• overweigh
• mean
• overbalance

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

If privacy outweighs palm trees, Montana may be the favorite. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Paralyzed by whether the rights of a gun owner on the terrorist watch should outweigh the rights of a community to be safe from getting shot dead at a school or a church or a concert. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Brokers say that while some buyers were initially spooked by the tax, the flood of liquidity from recent initial public offerings and soaring wealth from asset prices has outweighed their fears. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 3 July 2026

And the cost of repairing newer machines can often outweigh the benefit, meaning that buying a completely new machine is more economical than repairing the existing one. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outweigh

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

outweigh

verb

out·​weigh -ˈwā 

: to be greater than in weight, value, or importance

the benefits outweigh the disadvantages