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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rather
As fans know, characters like Tashi from Challengers and Rue from Euphoria are rather intense.
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Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
While the first few years of funding were rather sluggish, recent updates have shown that things are finally picking up.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
All the meticulous character development of Season 1 has gone out the window, and we’re left with rather jarring leaps instead.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
And like its other properties, the tented resort aims to provide as many eco-friendly alternatives as possible, including non-plastic straws and packing, refillable water bottles, and refillable toiletries (which also happen to be some rather stylish ceramic containers).
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rather 
Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
While the first few years of funding were rather sluggish, recent updates have shown that things are finally picking up.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024
All the meticulous character development of Season 1 has gone out the window, and we’re left with rather jarring leaps instead.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
And like its other properties, the tented resort aims to provide as many eco-friendly alternatives as possible, including non-plastic straws and packing, refillable water bottles, and refillable toiletries (which also happen to be some rather stylish ceramic containers).
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
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The word for the fifth-act climax of risotto—the scene in which the butter (preferably cold, from the fridge) and the Parmesan are brought onstage and obliged to mingle with the other characters—is mantecatura.Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement Wherever Nikki alights is a space to laugh, play the dozens (preferably over bid whist), celebrate and, yes mourn and sing with these and other giants.L. Lamar Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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With a tougher stance on China expected from the incoming Trump administration, could the next trade war instead be focused around chips, which arguably have permeated every facet of our lives? — CNBC’s Samantha Subin contributed to this report.Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
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Another bystander who came to Penny's aid offered to hold Neely's arms down so Penny could let go of Neely's neck, but instead Penny kept tight hold even after Neely's body went limp, Yoran told jurors.Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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There's nothing wrong with supermarket ham just in terms of just delivering something that's pretty tasty just across the board, pretty predictably and reliably so.Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024
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So, pretty much all day long, I was forced to watch my naked roommate delight in her excrement.Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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Micron, Nike, and others will report earnings This week will be relatively lighter for earnings reports.Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 15 Dec. 2024
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His stunning departure came just five years after winning a national championship and at a relatively youthful 55, with seemingly a few more hundred wins left on his coaching odometer.Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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But that hope vanished soon after when D’Arnaud, 35, signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Angels less than two weeks after becoming a free agent.David O'Brien, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
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Emilia Pérez was a crowd pleaser out of Cannes, with Netflix swooping up the feature soon after its debut at the May festival.Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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Every team in the league is going to aggressively pursue the young flamethrower, so acquiring him may be quite tough.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Now, my view is quite different literally, physically, mentally, and emotionally.Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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Brian Zeiger, a criminal defense attorney in Pennsylvania, said interstate extraditions are fairly common and usually occur without complications.Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
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Nearly half of them even manage to climb to new peaks on the competitive chart, which is fairly rare for these types of tracks, which often debut in lofty positions and then disappear.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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The first of those interceptions came from a somewhat unexpected place with the Steelers trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter.Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
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That same survey found that only 36% of Republicans were very or somewhat confident the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, compared with 54% of independents and 84% of Democrats.Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near rather
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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