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

Paramount attorneys sent the letter as the company suspects that Zaslav has been biased against a merger with Paramount since the outset, and instead, would rather complete its path toward a separation, some of the people familiar told CNBC. —Julia Boorstin,lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman,david Faber, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

But others find the experience deeply stressful, and would rather not stop at the marijuana dispensary to find relief. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 Dec. 2025

Instead, many members of Congress would rather spend tariff revenue on decreasing the national debt. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025

For anyone who would like to partake in the festivities of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but would rather not get up early and wait in the cold for hours, the Macy’s Balloon Inflation event on the eve of Thanksgiving is an option. —Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for would rather

• gather
• lather