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
We were rather taken by a gleaming all-black example on display at the company’s booth.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The Formentor is a rather cool little crossover/hatchback, available with either a 48 V mild hybrid (starting at under $32,000 or 28,000 euros) or a plug-in hybrid (starting at under $49,000 or 43,000 euro) powertrain.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
While Dope Thief is in the same space, you guys bring an entirely different energy here that doesn’t exist in your two most famous or, rather, infamous roles.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Some experts believe that satisfaction in this context may not indicate happiness but rather resilience and adaptation.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The Formentor is a rather cool little crossover/hatchback, available with either a 48 V mild hybrid (starting at under $32,000 or 28,000 euros) or a plug-in hybrid (starting at under $49,000 or 43,000 euro) powertrain.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
While Dope Thief is in the same space, you guys bring an entirely different energy here that doesn’t exist in your two most famous or, rather, infamous roles.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Some experts believe that satisfaction in this context may not indicate happiness but rather resilience and adaptation.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
For the Magic to stretch this Eastern Conference first-round series beyond four games, or even hope to threaten the Celtics’ championship defense, someone on the roster — preferably, more than one person — must give Banchero and Wagner some scoring help.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The champagne – preferably Cristal or Veuve Clicquot – flowed, and the gourmet food was presented with flair and then some.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
The gas station is instead designed for quick trips, as the name suggests, according to a company representative who presented the gas station’s proposal to an Aurora City Council committee earlier this month.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Later in the series, Lorelai and Sookie buy the Dragonfly Inn, and Michel also makes the jump to work there instead.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
That makes for a pretty crowded receiver room in Green Bay.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
-
And that’s pretty much what another resident, Rachel (Erica Pappas), says in an attempt to dissuade the council from sending a war party of 16 to Seattle.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Ford and Honda have relatively low exposure to the tariffs.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Details on the agreement still remain relatively unknown, though recent reporting by Bloomberg has suggested the U.S. has eased back its demands for repayment for its aid in Ukraine’s fight against Russia from $300 billion to $100 billion.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
PepsiCo lowered its full-year profit outlook, while Procter & Gamble cut its earnings forecast and warned that consumers should expect higher prices soon.—
Bernhard Warner,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
After fellow quarterback Cam Ward out of Miami was selected with the first overall pick on Thursday, experts assumed Sanders would follow soon after as the second quarterback taken.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
When asked about it in his pre-match press conference, Silva, quite fairly, dismissed its relevance in strong terms.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The hidden joke of their routines — what even a lot of the long-haired druggie types in the audience didn’t quite get — is that the counterculture was over.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
This action will allow U.S. tomato growers to compete fairly in the marketplace.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Heat-wise, this honey is fairly bold—like a mini firework show for your tastebuds.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
However, the deep seat depth compensates somewhat for the low profile—I’ve spent many a weekend curled up on the couch reading a book with no issue.—
Lauren Arzbaecher,
Architectural Digest,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Fund flow data suggests European investors drove the selling, while market participants from other international regions remained somewhat positive on U.S. equities.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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