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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rather
The roles aren't based on age, but rather discipline.
—
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 11 July 2025
His views on the current state of cinema are rather depressing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 July 2025
Features like real-time rewards, transparent APY breakdowns, and sequencer fee recycling are designed to meet the demands of firms that need more than narratives, but rather need yield, efficiency, and accountability.
—Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the long term, industry leadership may no longer be reserved solely for companies with the most resources but rather for those that excel at connecting diverse innovation forces and facilitating efficient value flow within the innovation ecosystem.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 11 July 2025
His views on the current state of cinema are rather depressing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 July 2025
Features like real-time rewards, transparent APY breakdowns, and sequencer fee recycling are designed to meet the demands of firms that need more than narratives, but rather need yield, efficiency, and accountability.
—Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In the long term, industry leadership may no longer be reserved solely for companies with the most resources but rather for those that excel at connecting diverse innovation forces and facilitating efficient value flow within the innovation ecosystem.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
What scientists really want is a way to make their own eclipses on demand – preferably ones that can last for hours and are outside the Earth's atmosphere.—
David Szondy
June 28,
New Atlas,
28 June 2025
Adverb
-
But the plan got delayed and then scrapped, with the city instead opting to build The Canopy, a gathering space including parking spaces and walking paths set to open in 2027.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
At the same time, the Trump administration recently withdrew support for relocating the FBI headquarters to a 61-acre site in Greenbelt, Maryland, instead backing a new location at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C., just blocks from the existing J. Edgar Hoover Building.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
The American dream is on life support for first-time homebuyers, new data shows, and the landscape will remain pretty bleak for a while.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
-
There is pretty much only one woman with a speaking part in the entire movie, played by Cindy Morgan, previously seen as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
So far, the country's outbound shipments have held up relatively strong over the past two months, as exporters pivoted to alternative markets, notably Southeast Asian countries and European Union nations.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
-
But at a price point just north of $500, that’s a relatively small gripe for an otherwise sound piece of equipment.—
Amy Wilkinson,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
Reynolds said that his niece has cuts and bruises all over her entire body, but should be released from the hospital soon pending blood work.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
-
Iger Era: 2005-2014 Total points: 17 Bob Iger became Disney CEO in 2005 and soon after announced a $1.1 billion plan to fix Disney California Adventure after a dismal start to the second gate across the esplanade from Disneyland.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
The Champagne Bar is a more casual outpost, although still quite lavish (it’s called the Champagne Bar, after all).—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
-
Automatic pool cleaners can be quite pricey, so Prime Day is a great time to score a deal.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
Summer league typically follows the same plot — watch a lot of young guys play some fairly mediocre basketball, then overreact accordingly.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Another legit reason is to treat fairly severe constipation.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
The menu is brief and, on paper, somewhat predictable: a tiramisu, Italian cookies, an ice-cream sundae.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
6 July 2025
-
Welcome to difficult-to-reach Nordkapp (North Cape), a magnificent — albeit somewhat extreme — antidote for travelers looking to escape the summer heat back home while visiting a majestic landmark that has been challenging explorers, royalty and tourists for centuries.—
Dan Fellner,
AZCentral.com,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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