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
Parenting isn’t a singular task, but rather an amalgamation of mindsets and duties that are integrated into the rest of life’s experiences.
—
Christian Dashiell Published, Parents, 18 June 2026
Prosecutors, rather, claim the acts were planned and deliberate.
—Kristina Rex, CBS News, 18 June 2026
This is not an agreement on any part of the project itself, but rather an agreement on the process of working together, according to the city.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
In other words, Americans are increasingly making voting decisions based not on who should win elections but rather on who shouldn’t.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Christian Dashiell Published, Parents, 18 June 2026
Prosecutors, rather, claim the acts were planned and deliberate.
—Kristina Rex, CBS News, 18 June 2026
This is not an agreement on any part of the project itself, but rather an agreement on the process of working together, according to the city.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
In other words, Americans are increasingly making voting decisions based not on who should win elections but rather on who shouldn’t.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Greenberg said his near-term plan for the building is to try to lease it out, preferably to a single tenant.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
-
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
The breakfast melon milk that would have been poured down the drain is instead being poured into the evening cocktail.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
In fact, Gilligan very deliberately changed course on the long-gestating sci-fi project that would eventually become Pluribus, pivoting from a male lead to instead shaping the role especially for Seehorn.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
My audience can smell something disingenuous pretty quick.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Everyone looks pretty baffled at what Mwepu Ilunga has done, not least his team-mates.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Adverb
-
If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
-
Hart willingly did the dirty work, snatching up rebounds rather than points.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Adverb
-
Captain Edson Álvarez helped turn away South Korea’s attack late, holding up relatively well despite having left ankle surgery during the past year.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Because this research was conducted on mice over a relatively short 16-week period, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether a completely sugar-free diet causes the same gut and liver inflammation in humans.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adverb
-
The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
The only time Team USA managed to put the ball in the net sooner was in 2002 against Portugal (29th minute) and in a 1930 meeting with Paraguay (15th minute).—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Adverb
-
Looking to be quite aggressive in a football sense and always looking for the solution and what can happen instead of worrying about what the problem is.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Nothing stings quite like being steps from getting your credit card out to make a glorious purchase, and finding that your promo code isn’t working.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Adverb
-
While most annual meteor showers follow a fairly predictable script, the June Bootids have a habit of surprising astronomers.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
-
Shortly, the reshaping of the Charlotte Hornets’ roster should be fairly complete.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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