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

Unlike other Western leaders—and the foreign-policy establishment in Washington—Sánchez sees China in more pragmatic terms rather than as necessarily a strategic rival. —Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

At best, empirical work in economics or management consulting could identify and address social problems rather than merely justify boss power. —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

Preposition

Big Ten teams now will play 17 regular-season conference matches — facing each opponent once — rather than 20 matches with three double-play opponents, as was the case in 2025. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Led by Deaf filmmakers and a production team that was over 40% Deaf, the documentary sought to break norms in how disability stories are told with a visual and auditory storytelling approach that centers deaf perception rather than translating for hearing audiences. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 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