outweigh

verb

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

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of outweigh

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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.
Working women are more concerned for their career security, skeptical that the risks outweigh the benefits, and wary of harmful bias reverberating throughout the algorithms. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Tech leaders like Microsoft founder Bill Gates are warning that artificial intelligence needs significant limits or the harm will outweigh any good. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Equity markets have also largely shrugged off the potential ramifications of the conflict, with global stocks seeing a broad rally this year as corporate earnings optimism outweighed concerns about the war's implications for the world economy. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 While organizations want access to increasingly powerful AI capabilities, many are reaching the inevitable conclusion that having true ownership over their proprietary data far outweighs the benefits of using the newest or largest-hosted model. — Pavel Bykov, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for outweigh

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Browse Nearby Words

outweep
outweigh
outwell
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outweigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outweigh. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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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