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
: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry
Examples of rather than in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
In another less courageous version, Carmy would simply learn to delegate and calm down rather than admit there was no healthy way forward for him at the Bear.
—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
At this point, the odors are believed to be an inconvenience rather than a public health threat, according to Quick, the county medical advisor.
—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather than
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Conjunction
More generally, soccer continues to grow in popularity in the US, and sporting events continue to compel people to watch live rather than on demand.
—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
In another less courageous version, Carmy would simply learn to delegate and calm down rather than admit there was no healthy way forward for him at the Bear.
—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
Preposition
Stokesbury said the climber's descent was a long slide down the steep snow slope rather than a straight free fall, with the terrain gradually becoming less steep farther down the mountain.
—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
At this point, the odors are believed to be an inconvenience rather than a public health threat, according to Quick, the county medical advisor.
—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather than
Cite this Entry
“Rather than.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather%20than. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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