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

DeepFabric said in a statement that the strategic partnership reflects Kenco’s commitment to a strategy that does not see AI as a standalone experiment but rather a new coordinated operating capability across the business. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026

Where her feet are in the summer of 2026, at least, things have been rather good. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Low-boom design and Mach cutoff are not in competition, the spokesperson added, but rather different approaches to commercial supersonic travel over land. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

In Martin’s view, there was something too rushed and pat about how the assassination had been pinned on a feckless young (supposed) Marxist who was then (rather conveniently) shot dead on national television. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026