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
Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
In contrast, some importers, or even roasters, have established relationships with specific farms, rather than buying beans at auction on the open market.
—Spencer M. Ross, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2023
And then there were the offensive comments the frontman wielded at the rapper Ice Spice during a problematic podcast appearance that brought his often times questionable behavior to the masses, rather than keeping it contained to the walls of the 1975’s fandom.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2023
Others such as Diddy, Dapper Dan, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Virgil Abloh also receive their flowers—their journeys are highlighted in a unique manner that feels compelling, rather than stuffy.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Sep. 2023
The nature of work has also been changing fast, requiring more specialized knowledge, rather than a broad education on unrelated topics.
—Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
Its report pointed to China’s purchases of Russian raw materials, which are primarily transported via rail tanks and open wagons rather than in containers.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 29 Sep. 2023
So, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises following your baby's hunger cues rather than a schedule.3
8.
—Tina Donvito, Parents, 29 Sep. 2023
Getty Images To me, these curls look like Yeoh's natural hair texture rather than ones created with a hot tool.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 29 Sep. 2023
Phillip MacIak, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2023
But others said that these technologies should be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, animal testing.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023
Moving forward, however, more and more states could be legalizing through the work of their state legislatures, rather than with ballot initiatives, Armentano said.
—Matt Stiles, CNN, 7 Mar. 2023
The shooting drew criticism of the officers' willingness to use lethal force rather than de-escalating a non-violent situation.
—Ashraf Khalil, ajc, 7 Mar. 2023
Most of the time the money goes toward improving existing parks, rather than acquiring new land, Jumper said.
—Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 7 Mar. 2023
The three officials characterized the decision as driven by public health, rather than foreign policy.
—Dan Diamond, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023
From the start, Ronaldson foresaw Webb’s cross-continental appeal and aimed for a record deal abroad rather than signing in the United Kingdom.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2023
Clasps are steel rather than plastic, and a strong steel core is covered with a weather-resistant plastic coating to increase durability.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
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Conjunction
The actress, who is a mother of three herself, prefers to spend the day honoring her own mother — rather than celebrating herself.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
In contrast, some importers, or even roasters, have established relationships with specific farms, rather than buying beans at auction on the open market.
—Spencer M. Ross, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2023
And then there were the offensive comments the frontman wielded at the rapper Ice Spice during a problematic podcast appearance that brought his often times questionable behavior to the masses, rather than keeping it contained to the walls of the 1975’s fandom.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2023
Others such as Diddy, Dapper Dan, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Virgil Abloh also receive their flowers—their journeys are highlighted in a unique manner that feels compelling, rather than stuffy.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Sep. 2023
The nature of work has also been changing fast, requiring more specialized knowledge, rather than a broad education on unrelated topics.
—Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
Its report pointed to China’s purchases of Russian raw materials, which are primarily transported via rail tanks and open wagons rather than in containers.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 29 Sep. 2023
So, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises following your baby's hunger cues rather than a schedule.3
8.
—Tina Donvito, Parents, 29 Sep. 2023
Getty Images To me, these curls look like Yeoh's natural hair texture rather than ones created with a hot tool.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 29 Sep. 2023
Preposition
Engelhardt’s essay is a pointed exploration of the way that advertising seeps into children’s television and a critique of TV aesthetics that dull rather than enliven young minds.
—Phillip MacIak, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2023
But others said that these technologies should be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, animal testing.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023
Moving forward, however, more and more states could be legalizing through the work of their state legislatures, rather than with ballot initiatives, Armentano said.
—Matt Stiles, CNN, 7 Mar. 2023
The shooting drew criticism of the officers' willingness to use lethal force rather than de-escalating a non-violent situation.
—Ashraf Khalil, ajc, 7 Mar. 2023
Most of the time the money goes toward improving existing parks, rather than acquiring new land, Jumper said.
—Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 7 Mar. 2023
The three officials characterized the decision as driven by public health, rather than foreign policy.
—Dan Diamond, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023
From the start, Ronaldson foresaw Webb’s cross-continental appeal and aimed for a record deal abroad rather than signing in the United Kingdom.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2023
Clasps are steel rather than plastic, and a strong steel core is covered with a weather-resistant plastic coating to increase durability.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rather than.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near rather than
Cite this Entry
“Rather than.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather%20than. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
rather than
1 of 2 conjunction1
—used to indicate negation or a contrary choice or wish
rather than continue the argument, 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
More from Merriam-Webster on rather than
Britannica English: Translation of rather than for Arabic Speakers
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