weigh

Definition of weighnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb weigh differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weigh are consider, contemplate, and study. While all these words mean "to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision," 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

When might consider be a better fit than weigh?

The words consider and weigh can be used in similar contexts, but consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

When is contemplate a more appropriate choice than weigh?

Although the words contemplate and weigh have much in common, contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

When could study be used to replace weigh?

The words study and weigh are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of weigh The project noted that typical wolves in that area of Minnesota weigh around 61 to 62 pounds, with males averaging 68 pounds and females weighing 55 pounds. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026 Since 2013, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s python research and removal program has removed 1,750 pythons weighing more than 53,000 pounds from Southwest Florida. Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026 The Conservancy’s python capture program has been running since 2013, resulting in the removal of 1,750 pythons weighing more than 53,000 pounds, and that’s just from a 200-square-mile area. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026 Individuals who are at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Don Sweeney, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weigh
Verb
  • Good on South Africa for keeping things close, as every goal allowed will matter in the group stage.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 June 2026
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s in addition to problems like data drift, bias in training data, black swan events, and other things that the panelists touched on in pondering the challenges of instituting these systems in a highly regulated industry.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • And ponder permits for multifamily units, primarily housing in apartment complexes.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • In the last extreme, that means that one person’s exercise of their free will deprives someone else of all their rights.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • That means labor costs consume the vast majority of a center’s budget.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • But those most recent generations have known far more heartbreak than would really be considered fair for most other teams.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • The discovery is so surprising because even though AGNs are rich with gas and dust — the building blocks of planets — the turbulent conditions within the disks wouldn't generally be considered ideal for forming planets.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • For most high schoolers, the summer between sophomore and junior years means looking ahead to the ACT and, reflecting on the halfway point, starting to more seriously contemplate what the future has in store.
    Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • The antitrust hurdle cleared by Paramount comes as state attorneys general in California, New York and almost a dozen other states are contemplating an antitrust suit to put the brakes on what would become a mega-studio.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • The attendees debated where all these new treatments might fit in, especially with Eli Lilly currently dominating the market for shots and impressing attendees with data from its experimental triple-acting drug retatrutide that produced the most weight loss seen yet.
    Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 13 June 2026
  • But also debates within the Labour Party, the state of the polls, the development of public opinion, and the success or otherwise of the government in generating growth by other means.
    Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The Mexican national team will kick off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa on Thursday with the weight of entertaining 83,000 at iconic Azteca Stadium and soccer fans around the globe.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • To start things off, let’s entertain a thought experiment.
    Stefan Szymanski, The Conversation, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Thirty years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, Jose's former business partner still questions what led to the killings.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Nearly a decade later, public opinion has shifted, and there are signs that the decision to leave is being questioned by at least some within the governing Labour party.
    Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weigh. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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