rather than

1 of 2

conjunction

1

—used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish

rather than continue the argument, he walked away

chose to sing rather than play violin

2

: and not

obscures rather than resolves the problem

why do one thing rather than another?

happy rather than sad

rather than

2 of 2

preposition

: instead of

rather than being pleased, she was angry

Examples of rather than in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

Her memories of Parchman as a bucolic place rather than as a prison remind me that the children who grew up on the grounds of Parchman probably saw the place the same way. —Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

Because the kitchen is set against one wall rather than nestled in a corner, the area feels open and bright. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026

Preposition

With elections around the corner, reframing Trump as a victim, rather than a bully, will do little to save the United States from its current political free fall. —Jennifer Lutz, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026

Following growing degree days, rather than the calendar, can tell plants’ caretakers when to watch out for pests and when to act against them. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rather than

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan

Kids Definition

rather than

1 of 2 conjunction

1

—used to indicate negation or a contrary choice or wish

rather than argue, he walked away

chose to sing rather than play violin

2

: and not

happy rather than sad

why one thing rather than another?

rather than

2 of 2 preposition

: instead of

rather than being pleased, she was angry