would rather
idiom
—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc.
She would rather drive than take the train.
I would rather you didn't tell them.
"If you'd rather, we can go outside." "No, thanks—I'd rather not."
Which beach would you rather go to?
Examples of would rather in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Zesty, optimistic Homa would rather study to be a lawyer than attract the attentions of a future husband.
—
Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2024
Internal messaging has been to expect an IPO eventually, but its actions have suggested that the founding Collison brothers would rather stay private indefinitely.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 15 July 2024
In a trial that attracted international attention, the jury convicted him of first degree murder and sentenced him to death, convinced that Peterson would rather kill his wife than leave her while having an affair with a Fresno massage therapist.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024
At 41, Ellison still has the constitution of a choir boy and would rather be kayaking with his kids off Maui than greasing up for the Met Gala (unlike some of his counterparts).
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for would rather 
Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2024
Internal messaging has been to expect an IPO eventually, but its actions have suggested that the founding Collison brothers would rather stay private indefinitely.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 15 July 2024
In a trial that attracted international attention, the jury convicted him of first degree murder and sentenced him to death, convinced that Peterson would rather kill his wife than leave her while having an affair with a Fresno massage therapist.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024
At 41, Ellison still has the constitution of a choir boy and would rather be kayaking with his kids off Maui than greasing up for the Met Gala (unlike some of his counterparts).
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for would rather
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'would rather.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Would rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would%20rather. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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