rather than

1 of 2

conjunction

1
used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish
rather than continue the argument, he walked away
chose to sing rather than play violin
2
: and not
obscures rather than resolves the problem
why do one thing rather than another?
happy rather than sad

rather than

2 of 2

preposition

: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry

Examples of rather than in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Conjunction
This uncertainty can slow hiring, delay capital spending and force businesses to look for alternatives—whether that means shifting supply chains out of China or investing in automation rather than workers. Frank Holmes, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 In places like Altadena, the brunt was endured by low-income households, many inhabited by renters rather than owners—not the sort of folk who could pay for ample insurance coverage, let alone for private detectives. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Preposition
Engelhardt’s essay is a pointed exploration of the way that advertising seeps into children’s television and a critique of TV aesthetics that dull rather than enliven young minds. Phillip MacIak, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2023 But others said that these technologies should be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, animal testing. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for rather than

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rather than was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rather than.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather%20than. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

rather than

1 of 2 conjunction
1
used to indicate negation or a contrary choice or wish
rather than argue, he walked away
chose to sing rather than play violin
2
: and not
happy rather than sad
why one thing rather than another?

rather than

2 of 2 preposition
: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!