rather

adverb

ˈra-t͟hər How to pronounce rather (audio)
Definition of rathernext
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rather The Cubs see the potential for a deep starter’s arsenal and someone who can move through the system rather quickly. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Susan Collins, a Republican senator from Maine, took in the exchange and seems to have concluded that Clayton performed rather well. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Burnham brings a more relaxed style of leadership than the rather stern Starmer, and is regarded as one of the Labour Party’s best communicators. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 Coach Bubista kept music and jokes in the dressing room and built in real recovery time, treating a calm and ease as preparation rather productivity loss. — André Martin, Fortune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
  1. preferably
  2. instead
  3. pretty
  4. willingly
  5. relatively
  6. soon
  7. quite
  8. fairly
Adverb
  • Complete your ensemble with a matching pair of loafers, preferably in barely-there mesh—easy-breezy, minimalist chic, just like that.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 20 July 2026
  • Pitch a No-Hitter (preferably Roupp, McDonald or Whisenhunt).
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • England were 1-0 up in Atlanta with just five minutes left before conceding two late goals which sent Argentina to Sunday’s World Cup final instead.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • So, his company has turned instead to an app, Zello, run by a private company, which notifies locals of Russian drones flying nearby.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • Kyril is a hands-on, pretty inspirational owner who has a really clear vision for where this football club is going.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • As far as summer jobs go, helping to maintain the Oakland Cemetery is a pretty cool one, even in this heat.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • The evidence presented during the trial, Gifford’s family said in the statement, showed that Gifford did not willingly go off with Sochor and his brother Gary Sochor that night.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • And those are just two stories of many, says Franzen, who has issued trespassing orders to guests who will not leave willingly.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • In what was a relatively uncharacteristic ending for this Spain team – perhaps seeing the finish line so close – the squad allowed Argentina a few last chances, two of which couldn’t have been closer in the final eight minutes or so of the match.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Scripps researchers looked at the possibility of using this geoengineering over a shorter term in a relatively regional application that shortens the timeline and reduces the bureaucratic complexity of implementing it.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of relatively
Adverb
  • Munster, who has extensively researched Ebola, was locked out of his lab soon after the January detention.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The organization has also installed four emergency clinic modules for local healthcare facilities, with a fifth expected to open soon.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.
    — Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
  • SpaceX tried to launch the Starship megarocket on its 13th test flight today but couldn't quite pull it off.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Indeed, the Vienna rode quite well thanks to its larger wheels, fairly wide tires, and neutral geometry.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • This process is intended to give you the opportunity to provide further information so that your circumstances can be reviewed fully and fairly.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of fairly

Browse Nearby Words

rat finks
rather
ratification
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of rather for Spanish Speakers

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