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
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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
-
The champagne – preferably Cristal or Veuve Clicquot – flowed, and the gourmet food was presented with flair and then some.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
For the Magic to stretch this Eastern Conference first-round series beyond four games, or even hope to threaten the Celtics’ championship defense, someone on the roster — preferably, more than one person — must give Banchero and Wagner some scoring help.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
Her approach extends beyond immediate intervention, focusing instead on helping parents and caregivers recognize and manage their own emotions, in order to create safe spaces where children can learn and grow.—
Lauren Carpenter,
USA Today,
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
-
Ironically, his company has a pretty robust insights organization that continuously monitors trends.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Actual economic data has remained relatively resilient despite the tariff storm.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Sinners cost $90 million to make before marketing, a relatively hefty price tag for a genre movie (Creed‘s budget was $50 million).—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
But soon, a tall barometer in an oak case would arrive, with instructions included.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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 bowls are quite deep and narrow and aren’t super easy for cats to reach, which could cause whisker fatigue.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Heat-wise, this honey is fairly bold—like a mini firework show for your tastebuds.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
-
This action will allow U.S. tomato growers to compete fairly in the marketplace.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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 25 Apr. 2025.
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