1
as in preferably
by choice or preference
I would rather go to the movies than stay at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in instead
as a substitute
don't think of the placement test as torture but rather as a chance to show off how much you know
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pretty
to some degree or extent
I say, don't you think that's rather expensive for a hamburger?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rather
His goal was never a quick ceasefire but rather the gradual normalization of Russian territorial conquest through the legitimizing embrace of American diplomacy.
—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The whole thing suddenly felt rather seedy, preparing to meet a stranger in a foreign hotel room to receive a large amount of cash.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Carl Anka So much about this side is debatable except in midfield and, rather perversely, up front, where even a wantaway Alexander Isak seems the best option in the medium term (if not perhaps before the window closes).
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Brawner was issued $85,000 and $50,000 fines, paying back $130,000.
Of those funds, $117,000 served as restitution and went back to the food bank, or rather the new food bank, Feed Sumner.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The whole thing suddenly felt rather seedy, preparing to meet a stranger in a foreign hotel room to receive a large amount of cash.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Carl Anka So much about this side is debatable except in midfield and, rather perversely, up front, where even a wantaway Alexander Isak seems the best option in the medium term (if not perhaps before the window closes).
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Brawner was issued $85,000 and $50,000 fines, paying back $130,000.
Of those funds, $117,000 served as restitution and went back to the food bank, or rather the new food bank, Feed Sumner.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Or, perhaps preferably, turn away from watermarks and towards tactics that can positively prove an image’s authenticity, such as content credentials.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Extra Tips For Best Results To get the most out of using vinegar in your laundry, here are a few extra tips to make sure your clothes come out soft and fresh every time: Always dilute your vinegar with water, preferably a 1:1 ratio, to prevent unexpected damage.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
As employees are expected to return to the office, many decide to leave the company instead.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
-
They instead are legally required to document the specific facts establishing that believe, while also articulating the facts that leave them to believe that an individual inside a vehicle is in the country illegally.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
But even if that doesn't end up being realistic, this is still a pretty neat bit of physics.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Most of the utensils were pretty cheap, quite worn, and really should have been tossed a long time ago—including my black plastic spatula.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Cleaning your dryer vent is a relatively simple process.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The multiple crises of the Birr’s devaluation, surging inflation, a foreign exchange scarcity, and the 2020-2022 war in the northern Tigray region, only added to the underlying challenge of setting up in a relatively closed economy.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
According to reports from China, CATL failed to extend a mining permit which expired last week, sparking speculation that a massive surplus of lithium overhanging the market could soon start to fall with a future shortage and higher prices possible.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Crystal Palace, Buck Owens‘ iconic music venue in Bakersfield, Calif., will soon permanently close its doors after nearly three decades in operation.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Tanner, who is quite religious, was doing the latter.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Most of the utensils were pretty cheap, quite worn, and really should have been tossed a long time ago—including my black plastic spatula.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
And high temperatures will be fairly pleasant, in the high 70s to low 80s range.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Those who violate the law should answer for it, but those who are charged with enforcing the law have the moral responsibility to do so humanely, fairly and justly.—
David Kay,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots used the pick in somewhat surprising fashion, taking a running back with the 38th overall selection.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Aug. 2025
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Calling Weapons’ ending a victory is perhaps somewhat generous, what with the matter of all the dead people left to account for, even Gladys.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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