outweigh

USAGE SUMMARY

'outweigh' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to indicate that one thing is more or less important than another. Example sentence: The benefits of a high-fiber diet far outweigh the costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is clearly no shortage of people for whom the huge risks of the sea crossing outweigh those of staying at home.

The Guardian

Related: The benefits of solar do outweigh its costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think the judge was wrong in saying the right to a fair trial outweighed the interest in broadcasting the programme – there is a balance to be struck and one right does not automatically outweigh another".

The Guardian

In other words, the ability to pay will outweigh medical need.

The Guardian

I was hoping that my status as an alumnus, my fundraising track record with Amref (African Medical & Research Foundation) and the fact that I had bravely faced pre-marital wrath to take the interview, would outweigh my woeful knowledge of the higher education sector.

The Guardian

"The consequences of this painful and psychologically traumatizing practice do not outweigh the benefits.

The Guardian

The skills gained through setting up a business far outweigh the downside of it not succeeding.

The Guardian

It would proclaim the achievements of the churches, which, by any calculation, far outweigh the damage they have done.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, no one can really know whether the fortuitous boost from lower oil prices can outweigh in electoral terms the general impression that so many people in this country feel they are just scraping a living, and that the coalition has a lot to answer for.

The Guardian - Business

Their report, the most comprehensive to date, concluded that immediate investment is required to discover whether the potential risks outweigh the benefits.

The Guardian

"The fundamental question is whether these observed placebo-corrected treatment effects outweigh the risks associated with treatment," the FDA said in its latest review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outweigh", ensure that you clearly specify both elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The benefits outweigh", specify "The benefits of X outweigh the risks of Y".

Common error

Avoid using "outweigh" when only one aspect is being considered. Ensure that there are at least two distinct elements being compared; otherwise, consider alternatives like "exceed" or "surpass."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outweigh" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being exceeded in weight, value, or importance. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outweigh" is a versatile transitive verb used to express that one thing is more significant or influential than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. When using "outweigh", it's essential to specify both elements being compared to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "exceed in importance" and "surpass in value", but the best choice depends on the specific context. By understanding its proper usage and potential errors, you can effectively communicate the relative importance of different factors in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed in importance

Focuses specifically on the importance aspect, rather than weight or mass.

surpass in value

Emphasizes the value aspect, suggesting a superior worth.

override

Implies a dominance that nullifies or cancels out another factor.

prevail over

Suggests a winning or overcoming of one element by another.

take precedence over

Highlights the priority or higher rank of one thing compared to another.

hold more weight than

Uses a literal comparison of weight to imply greater importance.

tip the scales in favor of

Suggests a decisive advantage that influences a decision or outcome.

dominate

Indicates a complete control or influence over something else.

be of greater consequence

Highlights the superior importance or significance of something.

dwarf in comparison

Implies that something is so much larger in importance that it makes something else appear insignificant.

FAQs

How to use "outweigh" in a sentence?

Use "outweigh" to indicate that one thing is more significant or important than another. For instance, "The advantages of this strategy "outweigh" the disadvantages."

What can I say instead of "outweigh"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed in importance", "surpass in value", or "override" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "outweigh" or "outweight"?

"Outweigh" is the correct spelling. "Outweight" is a misspelling and should not be used.

What's the difference between "outweigh" and "counterbalance"?

"Outweigh" implies that one thing is more important or significant than another, while "counterbalance" suggests that two things are opposing each other, creating equilibrium.