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verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

outweigh

owt-WAY

Outweigh (verb) means to be more important, significant, or valuable than something else. Example: “The benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks.”

verb
1
To be more important, significant, or valuable than something else.
"The benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks."
"For most people, the pros outweigh the cons."
2
To be physically heavier than something else.
"The loaded truck outweighed the empty one by several tons."

How to use outweigh

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo matter more than, or weigh more than, something being compared to it.

Common pairings
outweigh the risks benefits outweigh

Word forms

outweighed past tense, outweighs singular

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The benefits of the treatment _____ the risks.

Related words

Rhymes for outweigh

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Frequently asked questions

What does “outweigh” mean?

The word “outweigh” means to be more important, significant, or valuable than something else. In plain terms, to matter more than, or weigh more than, something being compared to it.

How do you pronounce “outweigh”?

“Outweigh” is pronounced owt-WAY (/ˌaʊtˈweɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “outweigh” in a sentence?

Here is “outweigh” used in a sentence: “The benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks.”

What part of speech is “outweigh”?

“Outweigh” is a verb.

Is “outweigh” a common word?

“Outweigh” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “outweigh” have?

“Outweigh” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be more important, significant, or valuable than something else.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial