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
: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry
Examples of rather than in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
In Wilkens’ case, state filings opposing relief repeatedly emphasized her procedural and strategic choices in presenting evidence, arguing that any failure to establish causation rested with her rather than the court or the statute.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
An unwritten rule of the NBA, it is generally viewed as a sign of respect to run out the clock rather than risk embarrassing an opponent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather than
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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
In Wilkens’ case, state filings opposing relief repeatedly emphasized her procedural and strategic choices in presenting evidence, arguing that any failure to establish causation rested with her rather than the court or the statute.
—Stephen Martin, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
Preposition
The shift would help keep money in the local community rather than in the hands of banks and credit card companies that charge significant processing fees to generate company profits, the company explained.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
An unwritten rule of the NBA, it is generally viewed as a sign of respect to run out the clock rather than risk embarrassing an opponent.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather than
Cite this Entry
“Rather than.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather%20than. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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