What does outweighing mean?
Outweighing means to be greater than another thing in literal weight or, more commonly, in importance, value, influence, or consequence. Its use often presents a comparison: the advantages of an action may outweigh its disadvantages, or reliable evidence may outweigh a contradictory account. The word is useful because it introduces a clear judgment rather than merely stating that two quantities are unequal. It commonly appears in discussions of risks, benefits, costs, evidence, obligations, and competing interests. Although it can describe literal physical weight, its figurative sense is far more frequent in modern English. As an adjective, “outweighing” is less common but can characterize a consideration that is more decisive or important than another. Together, these senses make outweighing a precise word for expressing which factor carries greater weight in a judgment.
To be greater than something in weight, amount, value, or importance.
"The potential savings outweigh the risks involved in making the change."
This is the present participle and gerund form of outweigh, used in continuous, perfect, and gerund constructions.
Having greater weight, value, or importance than something else.
"Safety was the outweighing consideration in the committee's decision."
Adjectival use is less common than the verbal use and is especially found before words such as consideration, factor, concern, and importance.
Outweighing turns weight into a metaphor: a modest risk can matter more than a larger reward, and sound evidence can matter more than a loud argument.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outweighing come from?
Outweighing was formed in English by combining the prefix out- with weigh, using out- in the sense of exceeding or surpassing. Weigh derives from Old English wēgan, associated with the Germanic root underlying words such as weight and way. The original sense was to be greater in weight; the figurative sense of being greater in value or importance developed later and is now the word's dominant use.
Related word forms
How outweighing is actually used
Outweighing is standard as the present participle and gerund of outweigh and is written as one word. It is especially common in formal and professional contexts involving comparisons of costs, risks, benefits, evidence, or competing considerations. Its adjectival use is less common than its verbal use.
Easily confused with outweighing
Outweigh means to be heavier or more important than something else, whereas outwear means to last longer than something else.