outweighed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"outweighed by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things and indicate that one has a greater impact or importance than the other. Example: The benefits of exercise are often outweighed by the temptation of unhealthy and convenient food options.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All that is outweighed by his merits.

The New York Times - Books

Anani was outweighed by 35 pounds.

The New York Times

Those gains are outweighed by the risks.

The Guardian

"The curiosity," Eisenberg says, "is outweighed by my terror".

The Guardian - Film

But this was far outweighed by the snarking.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many women, the risk is outweighed by tremendous benefits.

The New York Times

But its flaws are outweighed by the costs of war.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this good news for Microsoft was outweighed by bad.

The Economist

But this is surely outweighed by potential gains.

The Economist

But the negatives were far outweighed by the positives.

The New York Times

Like most gossip, however, substance is outweighed by reality.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outweighed by", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the elements being compared are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying 'The benefits are outweighed', specify 'The benefits of X are outweighed by the risks of Y'.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "outweighed by". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Instead of 'The advantages were outweighed by the disadvantages', consider 'The disadvantages outweighed the advantages' for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outweighed by" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It is typically used to indicate that one factor or consideration is more significant or impactful than another. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to compare the relative importance of two elements within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outweighed by" is a versatile phrase used to express that one thing is more significant or impactful than another. Grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, clarity in comparison is essential. Consider alternatives like "eclipsed by" or "overshadowed by" to add nuance. Avoiding passive voice overuse can also improve writing strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eclipsed by

Indicates that something is overshadowed or surpassed in importance or prominence.

overshadowed by

Suggests that something is less noticeable or significant due to the presence of something else.

exceeded by

Implies that something is surpassed in quantity, degree, or quality.

surpassed by

Similar to 'exceeded by', indicating that something has gone beyond another.

dwarfed by

Highlights a significant difference in size, importance, or impact.

rendered insignificant by

Indicates that something has been made less important or irrelevant by something else.

pale in comparison to

Shows that something is much less impressive or important when compared to something else.

outstripped by

Suggests that something has overtaken or surpassed another in progress or achievement.

overcome by

Highlights the strength of one factor overpowering another.

negated by

Indicates that something is effectively canceled out or nullified by another factor.

FAQs

How can I use "outweighed by" in a sentence?

You can use "outweighed by" to show that one thing is more important or significant than another. For example, "The risks of the surgery are "outweighed by" the potential benefits".

What can I say instead of "outweighed by"?

Alternatives to "outweighed by" include "eclipsed by", "overshadowed by", or "surpassed by depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey".

Is it better to use "outweigh" or "outweighed by"?

While both are correct, "outweigh" is an active verb, and "outweighed by" is a passive construction. Using "outweigh" often results in a more direct and concise sentence. For example, "The benefits outweigh the risks" is more direct than "The risks are "outweighed by" the benefits".

What does it mean when something is "outweighed by" something else?

When something is "outweighed by" something else, it means that the latter is more significant, important, or impactful. It implies that the positive aspects or benefits are less substantial than the negative aspects or drawbacks.