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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 innovation in loans, payments, budgeting and investing was not a radically different approach to money, but rather speed and convenience. — Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 They’re protected from sharks by all the kelp growth in that spot, explained a volunteer docent who also shared that the beach’s live cam gets rather steamy in January. — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 Texas’ future impact on Deion Sanders This is the rare Baylor game where the focus on the future of the head coach won’t target its own Dave Aranda, but rather the person on the opposite sideline. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026 Reinhart said, though, that a school is not about numbers, but rather people. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 22 Sep. 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
  • Having a score that's, at minimum, in the mid-600s — though preferably higher — can typically give you access to a broader range of lenders and more competitive loan terms.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For Jaissle, a defensive midfielder who had preferably played in the Premier League was essential.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • Focus on the good ones instead, and the model stays simple enough to understand, not a black box.
    — Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • When the time came to renew the lease for the ghost kitchen, the brothers decided instead to sign on with a broker and go brick and mortar.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • On Saturday night, her husband made that advice look pretty good.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s release, the Golden Pharaoh, might sound pretty strange on paper, but the result is a rye whiskey that actually doesn’t stray too far from its core identity—and that’s a very good thing.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Council member Dale Reynolds, who first made the motion to approve the ordinance, questioned whether there was any incentive for the public to willingly register their bikes.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The front end simply carves into turns with the slightest shift of body position, leaning over willingly enough to eliminate conscious thought and hesitation right out of the gate.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • With housing prices high across the region, Kuna has lately emerged as an attractive — and relatively affordable — bedroom community for workers in other Treasure Valley cities.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The findings could help researchers extract more energy from sulfur, an abundant and relatively inexpensive material already being explored as an alternative to cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of relatively
Adverb
  • Their aim was to get bills out the door sooner and for the county to pay back districts that took a financial hit because of prior billing delays.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • My colleague Howard Blume recently wrote about district officials pressing ahead with a multibillion-dollar modernization and rebuilding plan, raising questions about investing in campuses that soon may be shuttered.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • Some of the guests on board had upcoming bookings for the top-of-the-line (and priced like it) ship, though many remained quite fond of our Le Lyrial.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • So anyway, my artistic trajectory was going along quite nicely in Joy Division.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Their districts should be fairly competitive and balanced, which gives teams opportunity, whether that’s competing for a district title, earning a postseason berth or making significant improvements.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Now that the event was Mackle-less, ticket prices had dropped dramatically, but the stadium was fairly full.
    — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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