Synonyms of rather

rather

adverb

ˈra-t͟hər 

1

as in preferably

by choice or preference

I would rather go to the movies than stay at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preferably
• willingly
• soon
• either
• readily
• instead
• first
• alternatively
• alternately
• fain
• voluntarily
• optionally
• gladly
• wishfully
• desirably
• electively
• obligingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• involuntarily
• reluctantly
• unwillingly
• forcibly
• willy-nilly

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

• instead
• first
• alternatively
• alternately
• in lieu

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

• pretty
• relatively
• quite
• fairly
• somewhat
• something
• enough
• moderately
• a little
• to a degree
• a bit
• a mite
• of sorts
• like
• slightly
• sort of
• kind of
• after a sort
• a tad
• kindly
• more or less
• a touch
• vaguely
• decently
• tolerably
• acceptably
• little
• passably
• partly
• nominally
• partially
• negligibly
• halfway
• incompletely
• partway
• half
• part

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• very
• extremely
• particularly
• highly
• especially
• heavily
• exceedingly
• terribly
• awfully
• exceptionally
• greatly
• deadly
• substantially
• significantly
• frightfully
• hugely
• considerably
• mortally
• mightily
• beastly
• extensively
• surpassingly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rather

The team’s evaluation of his preparedness does not derive from a single test but rather the everyday reps, and there were a lot of them — more than in the past, coach Andy Reid said. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

As the chaos unfolds, Greengrass doesn’t pontificate on the morality of these events and, in fact, maintains a rather neutral stance on them for most of the film, withholding judgment. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The new study, however, hypothesizes that shell direction is not itself an adaptive response, but rather is an accidental marker of a significant evolutionary event that starts in a small subpopulation and then sweeps across vast ocean basins. — Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026

The cast features all manner of comedic heavy hitters, including Anna Kendrick (who’s been lying rather low since Another Simple Favor), Kate Berlant, Issa Rae, and…Sharon Stone. — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026