weigh

1 of 2

verb

ˈwā How to pronounce weigh (audio)
weighed; weighing; weighs
Synonyms of weighnext

transitive verb

1
: to ascertain the heaviness of by or as if by a balance
2
a
: outweigh
b
: counterbalance
c
: to make heavy : weight
—often used with down
3
: to consider carefully especially by balancing opposing factors or aspects in order to reach a choice or conclusion : evaluate
weighing her options
4
: to heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing
5
: to measure or apportion (a definite quantity) on or as if on a scales

intransitive verb

1
a
: to have a certain heaviness : experience a specific force due to gravity
b
: to register a weight (as on a scales)
—used with in or out compare weigh in
2
: to merit consideration as important : count
evidence will weigh heavily against him
3
a
: to press down with or as if with a heavy weight
b
: to have a saddening or disheartening effect
guilt weighed on my mind
4
: to weigh anchor
weighable
ˈwā-ə-bəl How to pronounce weigh (audio)
adjective
weigher noun

weigh

2 of 2

noun

: way
—used in the phrase under weigh

Synonyms of weigh

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for weigh

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision.

consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Examples of weigh in a Sentence

Verb She weighs herself every morning. He used a scale to weigh the bananas. The bananas weigh more than the apples. How much do you weigh? You will need to weigh the pros and cons. He took time to weigh his options. Her previous experience weighs in her favor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Buffalo weighed those reports before adding Walker and molding the rookie to become a star prospect who started every game except the opener. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 After officials finished weighing and measuring it, Harmon returned the giant blue catfish alive to the Ohio River near where it was caught. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 What gives the Wachtell Lipton investigation credibility is not only its careful presentation of facts but also the way the context and sources are weighed and considered. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 Alongside these resources, the NPD Hydro portal hosts the NPD Insights catalog for site rankings, as well as the NPD Toolkit, which models payback periods while weighing environmental, community, and electrical grid considerations. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weigh

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English weyen, from Old English wegan to move, carry, weigh — more at way

Noun

alteration of way

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weigh was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing weigh

Rhymes for weigh

See All Rhymes for weigh

Browse Nearby Words

Weigert's method
weigh
weighable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weigh. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

weigh

verb
ˈwā
1
a
: to find the heaviness of
weighed the bag of onions on a scale
b
: to have weight or a certain weight
he weighs 200 pounds
2
a
: to consider carefully : ponder
weigh your chances of winning
b
: to be important : count
the evidence will weigh heavily against him
3
: to raise before sailing
weigh anchor
4
: to measure on or as if on a scale
weigh out several pounds of rice
5
: to press down with or as if with a weight
her worries weigh heavily on her
weigher noun

Medical Definition

weigh

transitive verb
ˈwā How to pronounce weigh (audio)
1
: to ascertain the heaviness of by or as if by a balance
2
: to measure or apportion (a definite quantity) on or as if on a scale

intransitive verb

: to have a certain amount of heaviness : experience a specific force due to gravity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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