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
Those with dry skin, however, may find they’d rather use a more hydrating niacinamide serum.
—
Emma Greene, InStyle, 4 June 2026
The original Solterra was a rather underwhelming effort.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
The question is, why does Amanda believe it, or rather, why is West willing to be with Amanda over those other people?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 June 2026
This is meant not as a concerto in which the soloist stands as an individual against the masses but, rather, as a partner.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Emma Greene, InStyle, 4 June 2026
The original Solterra was a rather underwhelming effort.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
The question is, why does Amanda believe it, or rather, why is West willing to be with Amanda over those other people?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 June 2026
This is meant not as a concerto in which the soloist stands as an individual against the masses but, rather, as a partner.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
However, history tells us that the first thing that Hollywood tries to do with a blockbuster is figure out not only how to do it again but to also turn it into a reliable pipeline — preferably one that can start to deliver in Q4 2027.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
2 June 2026
-
Everyone is either a performer — preferably a star — or an audience member.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
An entire mission directing six blasts against three Russian frontline targets in eastern Ukraine will involve no Ukrainian troops on the ground, the battle instead directed from gamer chairs, observed from reconnaissance drones above, run over dedicated livestreams.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The new method instead incorporates physiological feedback from the insect, enabling the technology to respond to its state in real time.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
The service Like pretty much everything at this hotel, the service is both smart and discreet—not fawning, but preemptive and always on alert.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
That's a pretty good player to have mic'd up.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
Ryan Reaves The 39-year-old Reaves is only 38 games away from 1,000 and that’s quite a feat for someone who willingly has taken on the tough guy/protector/fighter role since his NHL debut in 2010-11.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Show your generous leadership by offering a clear plan with two workable options, then invite feedback and keep the energy light so people join you willingly.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Another possible factor in Martinez’s lead other than City Hall backlash could be his relatively strong name recognition in District 8.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
At subsonic speeds, the airflow over an airframe consists of relatively smooth, though complex, streams.—
David Szondy
June 04,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
With his dad at Blue Bell Park after taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles, Andrew delivered a 421-foot blast that his dad and the USC Trojans won’t soon forget.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
However, that euphoria soon faded.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
The story that Meija tells is also quite damning.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Although service is not quite polished, the happy-go-lucky Dutch-Caribbean staff are refreshingly devoid of attitude.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 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 6 Jun. 2026.
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