would rather
idiom
—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc.
She would rather drive than take the train.
I would rather you didn't tell them.
"If you'd rather, we can go outside." "No, thanks—I'd rather not."
Which beach would you rather go to?
Examples of would rather in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Too many of them would rather be the captains on a sinking Titanic, rather than change course.
—
Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Most would rather stay home among family and friends.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Generational Wealth in Black Celebrity Culture Blue Ivy's trajectory forces uncomfortable conversations about fairness that most people would rather avoid.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Friedman would rather not trade in July because the cost in prospects tends to be high.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for would rather
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Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Most would rather stay home among family and friends.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
Generational Wealth in Black Celebrity Culture Blue Ivy's trajectory forces uncomfortable conversations about fairness that most people would rather avoid.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Friedman would rather not trade in July because the cost in prospects tends to be high.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for would rather
Cite this Entry
“Would rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would%20rather. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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