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
Gerard Finley’s Antony makes a good partner to this rather domesticated Cleopatra.
—
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
This is not an abandonment of loyalty to these institutions' missions, but rather, its highest expression.
—Alondra Nelson, Time, 13 May 2025
They had been rather carelessly overfilled and half an inch of gas sloshed on top of the barrels.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025
The Leafs’ power play never overwhelmed teams with shot volume and scoring chances, but rather worked the puck to high-danger areas, pounced on rebounds and offered a lot of shooting options between Knies and John Tavares at the net and Matthews and William Nylander from the flanks.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
This is not an abandonment of loyalty to these institutions' missions, but rather, its highest expression.
—Alondra Nelson, Time, 13 May 2025
They had been rather carelessly overfilled and half an inch of gas sloshed on top of the barrels.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025
The Leafs’ power play never overwhelmed teams with shot volume and scoring chances, but rather worked the puck to high-danger areas, pounced on rebounds and offered a lot of shooting options between Knies and John Tavares at the net and Matthews and William Nylander from the flanks.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rather
Adverb
-
Your best bet is to use machines affiliated with major international banks—think HSBC, Barclays, Santander—preferably during business hours in case something goes wrong (for example, your card gets stuck in the machine).—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
28 Apr. 2025
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Nominees for the annual John Gassner Award — for a new American play, preferably by a new playwright — are: Becoming Eve by Emil Weinstein; Good Night, and Good Luck by George Clooney and Grant Heslov; Pre-Existing Condition by Marin Ireland; Still by Lia Romeo; and Walden by Amy Berryman.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Under the House Republican proposal, borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE, PAYE, and ICR would be automatically moved into the IBR plan instead, which is a separate program created by Congress.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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The program instead asked migrants to apply online, requiring them to secure a U.S.-based financial sponsor in order to secure permission to enter the country and two years of work authorization.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
8 May 2025
Adverb
-
The numbers are getting pretty big for a lot of guys.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Oh, Mary! on Broadway in New York City on May 7. 93 of 120 Blondes Have More Fun Paris Hilton looks pretty in pink with Martha Stewart at the launch of PARÍVIE at Zero Bond in New York City on May 6.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Adverb
-
But for those used to the constant looming threat of a major earthquake, the relatively low probability of such a disastrous scenario may be a small comfort: the study says there's a 15% probability of such an earthquake in the next 50 years.—
Joel Shannon,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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The New Right: The issues, the major players, and its future In the end, Rubio’s stylistic contrast with Trump, his relatively straightforward and understated style, may be why the pair complement each other so well, according to University of Central Florida political professor James C. Clark.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2025
Adverb
-
The Steelers may have a tough decision to make if there is no movement on the Rodgers front soon.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
In 2018 and 2019, OIG auditors issued separate reports that said Amtrak could strengthen measures to identify fraudulent medical claims sooner.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
Adverb
-
Halper, of Top Ten Liquors, isn’t quite sure what to expect from the federal government.—
Danielle Wiener-Bronner,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
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When that happens, their buzzing calls used to attract mates are quite loud.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Adverb
-
Fox said that these dogs are fairly adaptable to different lifestyles, and emotionally in tune with their owners.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Henrique provides an unexpected scoring punch Considering all the firepower on the Oilers, Adam Henrique’s name is fairly far down the list of those expected to provide an offensive impact.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Adverb
-
With the team in a somewhat barren run, Inter supporters would love to see the 28-year-old making a trademark surge into the box and bag a crucial goal.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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It’s been a confusing and somewhat soulless campaign under Enzo Maresca, but Chelsea are gathering momentum at a crucial time, having notched up two successive victories, including a dramatic late win at Fulham a fortnight ago.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rather. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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