1
: with better reason or more propriety : more properly
this you should pity rather than despise—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
: more readily or willingly : preferably
I'd rather not go
would rather read than watch television
—often used interjectionally to express affirmation
3
: more correctly speaking
my father, or rather my stepfather
4
: to the contrary : instead
was no better but rather grew worse—Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)
Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)5
: in some degree : somewhat
it's rather warm
—often used as a mild intensivespent rather a lot of money
Examples of rather in a Sentence
The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one.
I think the children watch rather too much television.
It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the win seemed rather improbable just 48 hours ago.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The reverse charge mechanism is not legally dependent on a valid VAT-ID but rather on whether the customer qualifies as a business.
—Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
For example, a child who always interrupts or clings to a parent in social settings isn't necessarily being needy, but is rather unsure of their significance when the focus isn't on them.
—Reem Raouda, Contributor, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025
Life may not be packed entirely into a few short months of summer; rather, the waters may be productive—or, at the very least, still living—throughout the year.
—Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The reverse charge mechanism is not legally dependent on a valid VAT-ID but rather on whether the customer qualifies as a business.
—Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
For example, a child who always interrupts or clings to a parent in social settings isn't necessarily being needy, but is rather unsure of their significance when the focus isn't on them.
—Reem Raouda, Contributor, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025
Life may not be packed entirely into a few short months of summer; rather, the waters may be productive—or, at the very least, still living—throughout the year.
—Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rather
adverb
rath·er
ˈrat͟h-ər 
ˈrät͟h-,
ˈrət͟h-
1
: more willingly
would rather stay home
2
: more exactly : more properly
my father, or, rather, my stepfather
3
: instead
was no better but rather grew worse
4
: somewhat entry 2
rather cold today
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