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.
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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
-
By Emily Tannenbaum February 17, 2025 The SNL 50 Anniversary Special was the hottest ticket in town on February 16—preferably right next to Emma Stone and her custom Louis Vuitton dress filled with popcorn.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2025
-
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,
16 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
The center warns beachgoers to not interact with the animals on the beach and instead contact their team for help with distressed animals.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Her vision goes beyond traditional sports programming, aiming instead for a platform that reflects the full spectrum of her interests and experiences.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
It’s been pretty sporadic and erratic with a bunch of them.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
As a result, quantitative models are still pretty confident that Brody is going to win.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
27 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
-
Opened in 2018, The Funky Taco soon will cease to exist.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Feb. 2025
-
We are also excited by rising talent S.S. Daley, launching soon on Moda Operandi, and his charming approach to modernizing nostalgic British codes.—
Tianwei Zhang,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Many of these movies no longer feel quite so shocking, their tropes now absorbed into mainstream horror.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Eric was also quite magnetic, especially with women, which was always a bit mysterious.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
Especially since this is a fairly quiet Red Wings team outside of Fischer.—
Max Bultman,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Bags that don’t attach to pumps require milk to be transferred into them, which can be somewhat messy.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Estimates vary widely, but most put Russia's losses somewhat higher than Ukraine's.—
Dave Lawler,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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