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
Soon, the Red Sox will turn their attention to the MLB Draft that's approaching rather quickly.
—
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Per Deadline, Branagh will play Streep’s onscreen husband, or rather, the fourth Mr. Miranda Priestly.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
From Technology Investment To Enterprise Asset Calculating ERP ROI should not be a one-time task post-deployment but rather an ongoing strategic initiative encompassing financial, operational and organizational results.
—Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Bayern Munich have a talent pathway that is also looking rather healthy this summer.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Per Deadline, Branagh will play Streep’s onscreen husband, or rather, the fourth Mr. Miranda Priestly.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
From Technology Investment To Enterprise Asset Calculating ERP ROI should not be a one-time task post-deployment but rather an ongoing strategic initiative encompassing financial, operational and organizational results.
—Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Bayern Munich have a talent pathway that is also looking rather healthy this summer.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Prepare a planting bed at least 5 to 6 feet (preferably 10 feet) in diameter and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
What scientists really want is a way to make their own eclipses on demand – preferably ones that can last for hours and are outside the Earth's atmosphere.—
David Szondy
June 28,
New Atlas,
28 June 2025
Adverb
-
But the plan got delayed and then scrapped, with the city instead opting to build The Canopy, a gathering space including parking spaces and walking paths set to open in 2027.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
At the same time, the Trump administration recently withdrew support for relocating the FBI headquarters to a 61-acre site in Greenbelt, Maryland, instead backing a new location at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C., just blocks from the existing J. Edgar Hoover Building.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
That’s because of a combination of factors, the chief one being that pretty much everybody everywhere on Earth likes Keanu Reeves.—
Rebecca Keegan,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
-
Thus, in pretty much every real estate loan of this type, the lender will require that the real estate developer personally guarantee that the lender will be repaid in full on the loan, no matter what happens to ABC LLC and its assets.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
So far, the country's outbound shipments have held up relatively strong over the past two months, as exporters pivoted to alternative markets, notably Southeast Asian countries and European Union nations.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
-
But at a price point just north of $500, that’s a relatively small gripe for an otherwise sound piece of equipment.—
Amy Wilkinson,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
Iger Era: 2005-2014 Total points: 17 Bob Iger became Disney CEO in 2005 and soon after announced a $1.1 billion plan to fix Disney California Adventure after a dismal start to the second gate across the esplanade from Disneyland.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
-
Reynolds said that his niece has cuts and bruises all over her entire body, but should be released from the hospital soon pending blood work.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
The Champagne Bar is a more casual outpost, although still quite lavish (it’s called the Champagne Bar, after all).—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
-
Automatic pool cleaners can be quite pricey, so Prime Day is a great time to score a deal.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
Judging by the trailer, the film should follow the book fairly closely.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
-
The Bulls will want to negotiate this number down — which is more easily accomplished by compromising on a longer contract — but their commitment to the guard has been fairly clear in the build-up to these negotiations.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
Here, Zaentz made a somewhat surprising revelation.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
6 July 2025
-
Welcome to difficult-to-reach Nordkapp (North Cape), a magnificent — albeit somewhat extreme — antidote for travelers looking to escape the summer heat back home while visiting a majestic landmark that has been challenging explorers, royalty and tourists for centuries.—
Dan Fellner,
AZCentral.com,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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