Definition of weighnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb weigh differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weigh are consider, contemplate, and study. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

When might consider be a better fit than weigh?

The words consider and weigh can be used in similar contexts, but consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When is contemplate a more appropriate choice than weigh?

Although the words contemplate and weigh have much in common, contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When could study be used to replace weigh?

The words study and weigh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of weigh An indie filmmaker can demonstrate that a movie has paying fans, while a distributor weighs the cost of reaching those customers against its other business interests. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026 Timing & Outlook XLU has given back all its Q1 outperformance, pulling back sharply as rising interest rates weighed heavily on rate-sensitive sectors. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Apparently, the administration is seriously weighing the move, though the American Petroleum Institute is adamantly against it. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 The Stock Market Game™ does the same, letting students research real investments and weigh risk against reward. — Michael Poore Special To The Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weigh
Verb
  • Why e-ink still matters E-ink is not trying to replace your smartphone display.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • That distinction matters, particularly when counseling families facing a devastating diagnosis.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • It might be pondered, for example, by people who love pets, consider the ethics of eating meat, or worry about the biosphere.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For more than a year, industry stakeholders in Georgia and the rest of the country have pondered how public policy could help jolt the film industry in the United States.
    — Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Mitigation means sailing between Charybdis and Scylla – where one path, no mitigation, will hurt everyone and the other, aggressive mitigation, would require some to pay the tremendous costs to save everyone else.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week meant to protect consumers from high electricity costs caused in part by the data center building boom.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Large employers are considered to be sophisticated in their drug spending management.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • However, its three questions asked whether people consider the chatbot a friend, are polite to it, and miss it after a few days.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The connection to ego may help explain why rejections are so painful, even for people who had already been contemplating ending their relationship—but then their partner beat them to the punch.
    — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside the city’s support, plans contemplate roughly $540 million in state support and $2 billion in private financing.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While the two candidates were technically debating each other, the most prominent name onstage wasn’t there and isn’t on the ballot.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Fourth graders debate whether a company will still be in business in 10 years.
    — Michael Poore Special to the Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Less than 30 minutes by car to both Bath and Bristol, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained, but perhaps the best thing to do is to enjoy the tranquility of the home’s river views before venturing out for dinner in a nearby pub.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Bassam Tariq After Dark Screenings These soon-to-be-cult-classics are selected to thrill, scare and entertain.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The apartment that people questioned spending money on is the same one that built her career.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership.
    — Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weigh. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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