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
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Recent Examples of rather
There’s an element of the ending that is rather shocking.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
However, the song isn’t really a diss track towards Taylor, but rather an introspection song for Charli.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
New viewers have been magnetized into the WNBA’s expanding orbit this year, for a rather wide range of reasons.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This is not a book about death, but rather about sorrow for a life that is ending.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
However, the song isn’t really a diss track towards Taylor, but rather an introspection song for Charli.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
New viewers have been magnetized into the WNBA’s expanding orbit this year, for a rather wide range of reasons.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This is not a book about death, but rather about sorrow for a life that is ending.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
An internal email circulated among lawmakers urged members to sign up for time slots and engage in live discussions, preferably with fellow representatives.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
For new-build stadiums, however, the FA recommends there should be a minimum of three metres and, preferably, a four-metre gap.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The Maine Wire reported that the woman was expecting a delivery of rice, paper plates, and a toy lightsaber, but instead discovered the ballots inside her Amazon package.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Those who instead see a flexible talent pool as a strategic advantage in building a dynamic and flexible company probably will fare better.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The matches are pretty violent, with nasty punches to the face and vicious knees to the head.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Everyone was pretty nervous, and there were a lot of things to care for and think about, but as time went by during the tour, everyone felt more at ease, and everyone seemed more relaxed.—
Crystal Bell,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
And the Patriots don’t have enough offensive firepower to willingly part with a legitimate NFL starter, taking fumbles out of the equation.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In the latest demands of Intel, the government willingly relinquished the ability to exert control, despite being the largest holder of Intel’s shares.—
Andrew King,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
After Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda dissipated in the Atlantic, forecasters are watching the tropics for any sign of a storm stirring up that might impact the United States, but things are relatively quiet at the moment.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The menu is incredibly gluten-free friendly and relatively inexpensive—expect to pay between 6 and 9 pounds sterling for a sandwich—and there’s both indoor and outdoor seating available.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Kay Barnes, a former Kansas City mayor, is serving in the role temporarily, but the county legislature will soon vote on an interim executive to serve until November 2026.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
For capybara lovers who may not be quite ready to own an exotic pet, the following are places to visit them in the commonwealth.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the days grow shorter and darker, and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like knowing there’s a warm, welcoming bed awaiting you at home to usher in a cozy night’s sleep, and long, languorous mornings when time allows.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Everyone will be treated fairly!—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
That, indeed, seems a fairly broad opinion in Luxembourg, with just 670,000 people, nearly half of them foreigners.—
Vivienne Walt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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