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
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Recent Examples of rather
But Council members who voted against adopting the fines said that the problem doesn’t lie in having a lack of protection against code violations, but rather, an inability to enforce them.
—
Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The start of Cole’s rehab assignment coincides with Luis Gil looking like a rather weak link in the Yankees’ rotation.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Or rather, kicked several times in the head?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
His gripe was not with them, but rather that Edwards’ situation didn’t receive similar treatment.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The start of Cole’s rehab assignment coincides with Luis Gil looking like a rather weak link in the Yankees’ rotation.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Or rather, kicked several times in the head?
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
His gripe was not with them, but rather that Edwards’ situation didn’t receive similar treatment.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
While conversing with fans on X, he was asked for a good story following the Super Bowl LIV win, preferably about coach Andy Reid.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Squatriglia sometimes makes the booking request using a spouse’s bio instead.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But the combo turned out to be a bit too loud, Day explained after a practice round early in the week, so the club asked him to tone things down by wearing some khaki pants instead.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Our fans are still behind us for all 41 home games, and that’s pretty special.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The practice was pretty much unheard of until just after the Civil War, when it was essentially implemented as a way for employers to avoid paying Black workers a fair wage.—
Allyson Reedy,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
After every resident is moved — willingly or forcibly — police and city staff will patrol the site to prevent people from returning.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The car was in the lot, and office manager Jessica Smith said Gregg signed the paperwork willingly.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The cuts are required because of employee pay raises, including 23% hikes over three years that were awarded to most workers in 2023, and relatively sluggish growth in city revenue.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Organized as perimeter courtyard blocks, this approach could balance density with green space, support a mix of large and small units, and accommodate both ownership and rental housing within relatively low-cost, midrise buildings.—
Alicia Pederson,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The counter in the market’s far right corner, dubbed Club 104, is reserved for emerging talents, changing every few weeks (sometimes sooner).—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Cost concerns are expected to surface during midterms this fall, and an analysis by the nonprofit PowerLines found residents are not likely to get a break any time soon because new gas and electricity rate hike requests could affect more than 80 million Americans.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
While my skin doesn’t quite sparkle or reflect like glass, the results are subtle yet effective.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Manson can’t quite make up her mind about the value proposition of institutional inertia.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
From the outside, The Colony Police Department looks fairly simple.—
Bo Evans,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Ron Gubitz, executive director of the Music Artists Coalition, which counts Don Henley and Meghan Trainor among its board members, says musicians want to know how their work is being used, to be able to withhold consent and to be fairly paid.—
Steven Melendez,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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