outweighs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outweighs" is correct and usable in written English.
The word "outweighs" is a verb meaning to be more important or more powerful than something else. Example sentence: The importance of kindness outweighs any other characteristic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is plenty of evidence that the take-up of a free hot meal, and the merit of ending the "free school meals" stigma, outweighs such considerations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Currently, the number of Americans who are positive about the US economy outweighs that of those who negative about it – but just slightly, 49% to 45%, according to Gallup.

The Guardian - Money

I have to accept that they have focused specialism in this area of medicine and their judgment outweighs mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

They believe that the need for children to know their genetic background and true identity outweighs the rights of privacy of sperm donors.

The Guardian

An information tribunal has ruled that the paper must respect their right to privacy, which outweighs the public interest.

The Guardian

"Generally," she says, "courts have found that the right not to procreate outweighs the right to procreate.

The Guardian

"It seems that Westminster's desire to have things a little bit more even mathematically outweighs the importance of identity.

The Guardian

Perhaps they feel it would be disloyal to their children or think, as I also do, that the blessing of a child outweighs the tough stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She advised Guardian Australia that "on this basis, I believe the right of the chief justice to privacy outweighs the public interest in releasing it".

The Guardian

This has allowed it to see off potential competitors such as Eurex because the cost of margining the same positions in multiple depositories outweighs the saving from reduced trading costs.Trading fees on the equity and options exchanges have been driven close to zero by fierce competition, but CME can set its prices.

The Economist

It far outweighs my faith in creation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outweighs" when clearly demonstrating that one factor or consideration is of greater importance or impact than another. Ensure the comparison is explicit for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "outweighs" in sentences where the elements being compared are not clearly defined or understood. Always ensure the context makes the comparison obvious to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outweighs" is as a transitive verb. It signifies that one thing has greater weight, importance, or influence than another. Ludwig shows it connects two compared terms, establishing which is considered dominant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outweighs" is a versatile transitive verb used to express that one element is more important or impactful than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts, especially in news, business, and science. To use it effectively, ensure that the comparison is clear and explicit. Related phrases such as "exceeds in importance" or "is more significant than" can serve as alternatives. Be mindful of using "outweighs" only when a genuine comparative assessment is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is more significant than

Directly compares significance between two elements.

takes precedence over

Focuses on the order of importance or priority.

exceeds in importance

Focuses on the aspect of importance being greater.

is of greater consequence than

Emphasizes the higher degree of consequence.

carries more weight than

Uses a weight metaphor to indicate greater influence.

surpasses in value

Highlights the greater value or worth.

is paramount compared to

Indicates ultimate importance or priority.

prevails over

Suggests a winning or overcoming aspect.

dominates over

Implies a controlling or superior influence.

trumps

Uses a colloquial term to indicate superiority.

FAQs

How to use "outweighs" in a sentence?

Use "outweighs" to indicate that something is more important, significant, or has a greater impact than something else. For example, "The benefits of exercise "outweighs the risks"".

What can I say instead of "outweighs"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeds in importance", "is more significant than", or "carries more weight than" depending on the context.

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

"Outweighs" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "outweigh". Use "outweighs" when the subject is singular (e.g., "He outweighs", "She outweighs", "It outweighs"). Use "outweigh" for plural subjects (e.g., "They outweigh", "We outweigh").

What's the difference between "outweighs" and "overshadows"?

"Outweighs" indicates a greater importance or influence in a balanced comparison, while "overshadows" suggests that one thing obscures or diminishes the visibility or importance of another. "Outweighs" implies a weighing of pros and cons; "overshadows" implies a loss of prominence.