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 For a photocall in Rome promoting the second season of All’s Fair, Kardashian turned to bridal designer Galia Lahav for a rather unconventional take on polka dots. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 The tradition at Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremonies is for the inductees not to sing or play themselves but rather to enjoy a performance of one of their songs by another notable star or major figure. — Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 The 60-year-old CEO spends more than 800 hours a year in the air—or rather, 33 days spent on a plane. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 The big shipment of Venezuelan crude due at a Texas port, however, is not free — but rather, deeply discounted. — Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 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
  • Definitely go for a dip, preferably at night under the impossibly starry sky, in one of the onsen pools camouflaged into the Japanese rock garden.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Philadelphia Eagles' front office ought to address the Jalen Hurts situation publicly, preferably at a press conference.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • Having been given countless opportunities to make their names in history as the conscience of the GOP, the six members of Arkansas' congressional delegation chose for the past decade to instead be Trump sycophants.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • But at Quest, once the energy required for the capture process itself is accounted for, the capture rate instead has hovered around 68%, according to a report by the research group Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • That lead seemed pretty secure, considering Rasmussen entered the World Series having allowed three runs in 21 playoff innings against the Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The odds are pretty good there’s going to be a bowl of blueberries near you.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Prosecutors said Salman pledged loyalty to ISIS and willingly participated in its activities.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The woman did so willingly, and there is no allegation that she was forced or tricked.
    — Jim Defede, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • If this sort of shotgun approach to local targeting is a relatively unfamiliar phenomenon in political circles, football fans have long grown used to seeing ads for things that are essentially irrelevant to their own interests.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • These in turn parse into approximately 190,512 possible combinations of speech and action, so that individual museumgoers can have relatively unique encounters with the artist-as-revenant.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of relatively
Adverb
  • Rose soon shed their Americana trappings, publicly embraced their queerness, and revamped their musical identity.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • Brian Schottenheimer wasn’t quite defeated at his press conference last Monday after the 23-13 loss to Green Bay, but the head coach realized how low the morale was around the building.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The savory vol-au-vent with pear and onion jam, tart tamarind and pecorino cheese is ambitious, but the pastry itself was a bit heavy, the layers not quite flaky enough for the abundant stuffing.
    — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • While inflation data has been hot, the unemployment rate has been fairly steady.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The Will County state’s attorney’s office couldn’t fairly investigate its own conduct, Andreano argued.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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