outweigh

Everyday

1. If one thing outweighs another, it is more important or bigger in effect: «The good points outweigh the bad». tree →
2. To be heavier than something else. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics, science and decision-making lessons, people weigh benefits against risks: the benefits of a vaccine outweigh the risks. In maths and science, one object can outweigh another on a balance. Phrases: «the benefits outweigh the risks», «the pros outweigh the cons», «far outweigh».

Examples

• The fun of the trip outweighs the long drive. tree →
• The benefits of exercise far outweigh the effort. tree →
• A full bag of sand outweighs a bag of feathers. tree →
• The doctor said the good of the medicine outweighs the side effects. tree →
• My worries were outweighed by excitement. tree →
• Does the cost outweigh the benefit? tree →
• The elephant outweighs every other land animal. tree →
• Then the king took some larger scales, and heaped up all his treasures on one side, but the silk on the other outweighed them all. tree →

Note

Regular verb, past «outweighed». Spelling: out + weigh (with the silent «gh»). Not the same as «outnumber» (more in number). The thing that wins comes first: «A outweighs B» means A is bigger or more important.

In Jewish tradition

Ecclesiastes says that a small bit of folly can spoil a lot of wisdom, as dead flies spoil perfume.

Interpretation. Tradition takes it as a warning that one small wrong deed can spoil a person's good name.

Examples

• Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour. (Writings ECC.10.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb, past «outweighed». Spelling: out + weigh (with the silent «gh»). Not the same as «outnumber» (more in number). The thing that wins comes first: «A outweighs B» means A is bigger or more important.