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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rather
Optimism isn’t denying reality, but rather choosing a hopeful and constructive way of interpreting it.
—
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Their hometown is, rather, an alternate universe where Lear’s vision of American progress prevails—where people talk things out, jokes repair societal schisms, love wins, and bigots face consequences.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
Moreover, Desiree’s approach to that predicament is particularly on point because, as Cox argues, this is not a time to bury our heads in the sand, but rather to insist on joy despite the pain.
—James Factora, Them, 6 Feb. 2025
Instead for the holiday of love this year studios are seeing red — not for Valentines but rather blood.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rather 
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Their hometown is, rather, an alternate universe where Lear’s vision of American progress prevails—where people talk things out, jokes repair societal schisms, love wins, and bigots face consequences.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
Moreover, Desiree’s approach to that predicament is particularly on point because, as Cox argues, this is not a time to bury our heads in the sand, but rather to insist on joy despite the pain.
—James Factora, Them, 6 Feb. 2025
Instead for the holiday of love this year studios are seeing red — not for Valentines but rather blood.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Build it in one of your Cities — preferably in one with high Production — and then complete the Operation Ivy Project to cement your supremacy with the threat of nuclear destruction.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Stovetop method: Fill a large (at least 6-qt.) stockpot with 12 cups of water (preferably filtered).—
Alexis deBoschnek,
Bon Appétit,
5 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
That era was a tough one for Letterman, who was thought to be a shoo-in to replace Carson but NBC opted to go with Jay Leno instead.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Letterman then rejected the chance to tell some jokes after combing through the cue cards, and instead agreed to film a Tortilla Challenge TikTok video that involved repeatedly slamming Fallon in the face with tortillas.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Charles Franklin: There Are Mixed Feelings About Trump Usually approval and favorability track pretty closely.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The best all-around ballplayer in town and pretty much the best all-around player the Mets have ever had, which means Francisco Lindor.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
That plan already extracts relatively high premiums while offering bare-bones coverage.—
Mark Gongloff,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Automakers in the United States, Canada and Mexico have operated as a relatively unified market for years because of the NAFTA trade deal and the USMCA treaty that replaced it.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
They could soon be joined by tens of thousands of Syrians forcibly deported by neighboring countries that may use Assad’s departure as a pretext to expel them.—
Jesse Marks,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Book soon, past events have filled up with thousands of visitors.—
Anna Spiegel,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The landscape of the women’s game, though getting more crowded with real contenders, is not quite there yet.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
-
But if chocolate itself keeps quite well, a high-end bonbon is far less predictable.—
Matthew Korfhage,
WIRED,
15 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Especially since this is a fairly quiet Red Wings team outside of Fischer.—
Max Bultman,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
In California, due to Santa Ana wind events and periods of extensive dryness, the risks of wildfires are fairly well known and acknowledged, as are the extensive mitigation options to prevent fires and control those that occur.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Hazel’s magical threads can be fashioned into a temporary glider or a grappling hook to help with platforming, used to conjure spectral objects that seem somewhat stuck between worlds, and wielded in battle to push enemies away and pull them towards her.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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For The Win's daily sports newsletter pairs the latest news from around the sports world with the smartest − yet somewhat irreverent – takes from FTW's staff.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rather
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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