weigh

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 failure to prevent the October 7th attacks still weighs heavily. Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 Corrigan’s brother John weighed 8-and-a-half pounds at birth in February 1946. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 13 July 2025 Mothers are asking me for food for their children, pregnant women who are six months along often weigh no more than 88 pounds. arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025 Subramanian told the five alternate jurors to remain on standby in case they're needed to fill in on the main jury who are weighing charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. CBS News, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for weigh
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weigh
Verb
  • And in this moment, as history repeats and borders tighten, that pride matters more than ever.
    Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • Whether there is a point to this Club World Cup won’t matter much.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The Rafael Devers blockbuster is probably the biggest deal that will go down, but the temptation is there to ponder other earthshaking possibilities, no matter how remote.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Viewing the team’s three-year stint here as an audition of sorts, officials have pondered if the local enthusiasm for baseball could help prove the Sacramento region as a welcome home for MLB.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • That means one of those outfielders is likely to be traded or otherwise off the team in short order.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • This means that compared to other breads, sourdough is low on the glycemic index (GI), a classification system that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods on a scale of 0-100 according to their impact on blood sugar levels.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2025
  • And instead of Ziploc bags, consider these best-selling leakproof clear silicone bags that are so popular on Amazon that more than 4,000 were purchased in the last month alone.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The question of how to deal with the fracturing has scientists contemplating the best course of action.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 11 July 2025
  • Levine Cava is reportedly contemplating $25 million in savings from the Parks budget, but the details aren’t known.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • While addressing the overall tax environment and tax treatment of cryptoassets is beyond the scope of any one singular week there are specific items that lawmakers need to keep front of mind as stablecoins and cryptoassets more broadly are debated.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The exact circumstances and fuzzy details of the riot have been debated and researched for decades — including an urban legend that some cadets in College Station attempted to take a howitzer to Waco via a rail car.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Ventriloquist: Marc Griffiths the ventriloquist will entertain children during a Kids Summer Reading program at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • More amusingly, the Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe backroom staff seemed to be entertaining their riders with some local trivia.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The song captures Rumi’s internal struggle and her growing uncertainty about the road ahead, marking a shift in her journey from confident leader to someone questioning the cost of it all.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Carlson questioned why Epstein had never been asked about a connection with Barak or Mossad.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weigh. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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