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
The voice that had so startled me belonged to our farmhand, Heisuke, a loyal but rather slow-witted man.
—
Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The eagle-eyed have spotted defending champion Coco Gauff doing something rather intriguing with her spare rackets.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Not a project with a go-live date, but rather an operational exposure event that requires continuous observability from planning through to post-cutover stability.
—Liam Dunne, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Or rather, three interconnected trilogies set across different eras in the same universe, all exploring themes of power, agency, tyranny and redemption.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
The eagle-eyed have spotted defending champion Coco Gauff doing something rather intriguing with her spare rackets.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Not a project with a go-live date, but rather an operational exposure event that requires continuous observability from planning through to post-cutover stability.
—Liam Dunne, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Or rather, three interconnected trilogies set across different eras in the same universe, all exploring themes of power, agency, tyranny and redemption.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
Anyone who observes the behavior is asked to move away immediately, preferably toward the water’s edge.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
According to the president of Iran’s soccer federation, the team will instead establish its base camp in Mexico.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
-
Some barbers worked out of their homes instead.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Adverb
-
If these reports are accurate, this is a pretty humbling defeat of America’s goals in the war with Iran that started on February 28.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
Scroll alllll the way to the bottom for the answer (but there’s a pretty big hint above).—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
The author, Arthur Koestler, wrote it to explore how a dedicated Communist could bring himself willingly to admit to absurd crimes.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
Interim leaders willingly accept responsibility during moments of uncertainty, instability and organizational vulnerability.—
Mariama Boney,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
Thankfully, the largely entertaining affair marches to a peppier beat than the show, which can become bogged down despite its seasons being relatively short in terms of episodes.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
-
This simple setup makes particularly smart use of host Dakota Johnson, whose relatively flat affect isn’t a natural fit for live network sketch comedy but works perfectly for the seriousness of the fake horror heroine.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Adverb
-
Police parked anti-riot vehicles in a central Belgrade area to block the demonstrators from returning, and the violence soon ended.—
Jovana Gec,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
The dog couldn’t go in her room so soon after her transplant, so Aspen dabbed colors on a small canvas and handed it to Scott, who put it in a plastic bag and smeared peanut butter on top.—
Laura Ungar,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Adverb
-
Despite his enduring success, Rollins was never quite satisfied with his art, occasionally taking lengthy hiatuses from playing and consistently adopting eclectic new styles.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
-
At a time when teenagers are trying to discover themselves, and how to be comfortable, Fedje’s coaching offered many students a comfortable place in a world that otherwise didn’t seem to quite fit, Sintek said.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
Most barndominiums feature metal exteriors, which are a fairly low-maintenance exterior for homes.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Lewis, 26, has been tailing off since a precocious start to his major league career, and some (perhaps fairly) wonder if a pair of major knee injuries have robbed him of what should have been, as the kids say, his final form.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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