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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rather
We were rather taken by a gleaming all-black example on display at the company’s booth.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The Formentor is a rather cool little crossover/hatchback, available with either a 48 V mild hybrid (starting at under $32,000 or 28,000 euros) or a plug-in hybrid (starting at under $49,000 or 43,000 euro) powertrain.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
While Dope Thief is in the same space, you guys bring an entirely different energy here that doesn’t exist in your two most famous or, rather, infamous roles.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Some experts believe that satisfaction in this context may not indicate happiness but rather resilience and adaptation.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
The Formentor is a rather cool little crossover/hatchback, available with either a 48 V mild hybrid (starting at under $32,000 or 28,000 euros) or a plug-in hybrid (starting at under $49,000 or 43,000 euro) powertrain.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
While Dope Thief is in the same space, you guys bring an entirely different energy here that doesn’t exist in your two most famous or, rather, infamous roles.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Some experts believe that satisfaction in this context may not indicate happiness but rather resilience and adaptation.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
With his ship now loaded well beyond its normal capacity, the Carpathia’s captain didn’t concern himself with the bodies of the dead but instead set a course for New York City.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Detectives kept it to themselves, instead the LAPD let the suspects think that investigators had fallen for what police perceived to be a trick.—
Greg Fisher,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
These strips are pretty comfortable to wear as well, not overly stiff and easy to manipulate around your nose and tuck into crevices.—
Daley Quinn,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
-
But he’s displayed some pretty serious character in the past month.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Details on the agreement still remain relatively unknown, though recent reporting by Bloomberg has suggested the U.S. has eased back its demands for repayment for its aid in Ukraine’s fight against Russia from $300 billion to $100 billion.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
But with the 24th pick in the first round, the Vikings are positioned relatively well for one of the consensus top two safeties: Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina and Malaki Starks from Georgia.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The women on board could soon be heard whooping in joy as three massive parachutes deployed after about nine minutes into the flight and the capsule made a soft landing two minutes later in the desert, sending up plumes of dust.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
So there’s a mutual agreement between the two, or mutual benefits, that are quite tolerable—or even pleasurable.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The Chicago Cubs have done a lot to shape their team into a postseason contender over the last few months, and, to this point, it's paid off quite well.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
This action will allow U.S. tomato growers to compete fairly in the marketplace.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Heat-wise, this honey is fairly bold—like a mini firework show for your tastebuds.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
But the prolific writer-director’s latest provides an illustration of how the genre became somewhat fossilized via formulaic writing and overexposure even before 1950s television began churning out Western content in bulk.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Brother handles this somewhat differently than other manufacturers.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share