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

If Nottingham Forest had it their way, Crysencio Summerville’s lively cameo appearance at the City Ground would have been in red and white rather than claret and blue. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Schneider said any crackdowns on potential violators are more likely to be aimed at organized efforts to circumvent consumer protection laws, rather than go after every individual who may skirt regulations. —Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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

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