rather

adverb

ˈra-t͟hər How to pronounce rather (audio)
Definition of rathernext
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 This is not an argument of fatalism, rather an homage to the sanctity of memory. — Kamau Bobb october 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 Yet this isn’t about sweet edibles, but rather something molecular, salty — to push candidates outside their comfort zones. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Whatever has caused his rather inconspicuous numbers seemed relevant to ask offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy a few weeks ago. — Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Young urban Southerners who don’t identify with these traits might be moving not so much away from Southern identity itself but rather specifically from this rural conservative identity it is often associated with. — Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
  1. preferably
  2. instead
  3. pretty
  4. willingly
  5. relatively
  6. soon
  7. quite
  8. fairly
Adverb
  • Definitely go for a dip, preferably at night under the impossibly starry sky, in one of the onsen pools camouflaged into the Japanese rock garden.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Philadelphia Eagles' front office ought to address the Jalen Hurts situation publicly, preferably at a press conference.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • Earlier this year, the White House struck a series of deals with offshore wind developers to abandon projects off the coast and invest instead in fossil fuel infrastructure.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • To avoid cutting workers, Torani cut back on other expenses instead, including marketing and advertising.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of instead
Adverb
  • That lead seemed pretty secure, considering Rasmussen entered the World Series having allowed three runs in 21 playoff innings against the Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The odds are pretty good there’s going to be a bowl of blueberries near you.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adverb
  • Carney remembered Goulding as someone who willingly took on difficult challenges, and Wong as someone his family could always depend on.
    — Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The film’s central question, as Coon sees it, is why someone might willingly abandon a conventional life for an alternative community.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • As the world’s largest communications satellite network, Starlink can typically support high-speed Internet and data streams for any user or vehicle equipped with a relatively compact Starlink terminal.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • To find out which explanation fits, Boschini and his colleagues used a laser to temporarily disrupt superconductivity in a copper-oxide crystal while the material remained relatively cold.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of relatively
Adverb
  • Rose soon shed their Americana trappings, publicly embraced their queerness, and revamped their musical identity.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • But now, as everything online morphs into algorithmic social media, the case for concern has crystallized into something quite specific.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Few sports have embraced the pursuit of new audiences quite like F1, the motorsport league acquired by Liberty Media nearly a decade ago.
    — Sam Jacobs, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Stoke and Relativity are fairly close to one another in their development timelines.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Similar majorities of Democrats (70%) and Republicans (67%) are confident that midterms will be conducted fairly and accurately.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fairly

Browse Nearby Words

rat finks
rather
ratification
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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