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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rather
Blashill isn’t looking at the mistakes but rather the growth from both.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Her buyer Michael—the only member she's met, or rather the only member she's met for certain—always comes to her.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
If anything, Alcock seems rather Zen and non-reactive about this.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Robert Patrick prefers not to participate in Hollywood events and rather enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs and attending church.
—Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Her buyer Michael—the only member she's met, or rather the only member she's met for certain—always comes to her.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
If anything, Alcock seems rather Zen and non-reactive about this.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Robert Patrick prefers not to participate in Hollywood events and rather enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs and attending church.
—Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Things to do before the launch Find a location from which to conduct your observation, preferably somewhere with a higher elevation or a clear horizon.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For more than a year, the owners of other major league teams have telegraphed their desire to restrain all that spending, preferably through a salary cap.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
During the class, Renee didn’t explicitly dwell on the price drop, instead choosing to emphasize the highs.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But officials said earlier this year the city was no longer interested in the takeover, and, instead, Lyster said the city is eyeing transit options to link multiple billion-dollar developments around Anaheim.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Better yet, visit at the end of September for the Feile Tilting, a celebration of the Titling community’s irish heritage that culminates in what is rumored to be a pretty raucous shed crawl.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The first half was pretty even, but the Colleyville Heritage (16-4-2) did put a little more pressure on, despite going into a steady 15-20 mile-per-hour wind.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Officers said the girl and her mother willingly got into the man's car.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the closing seconds, McEnelly willingly took a pair of stall calls to avoid any further attacks, prevailing 4-3 and snapping Welsh’s 40-match win streak.—
Twin Cities,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s because baked into Bournemouth’s valuation is an assumption that the relatively small club isn’t going to be in the Premier League for the long haul.—
Andrés Martinez,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Warmer weather will return to New York City and the surrounding area soon.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
See our meteor shower calendar There are a number of significant meteor shower events that are expected to peak soon, offering great opportunities to see more meteors (shooting stars).—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
No restaurant does classic Roman quite like Piatto Romano, a cluttered trattoria smack dab in the middle of Testaccio.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At the start of the year, Jacob Elordi sat on the Jimmy Kimmel sofa to promote Wuthering Heights, wearing a pair of off-white Bottega Veneta loafers that were not quite ballet flats, but ascribed to this hybrid style (though many users compared them to ballet flats online).—
Jack Stanley,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The beach is flat–just right for soccer or throwing a football–and the water is usually fairly calm and great for taking out a standup paddleboard or a surfboard.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Backed by solid work by a handful of other writers, the actor wears all of Shah’s unlikeable qualities while still somehow managing to be, well, fairly likeable.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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