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
Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Because the kitchen is set against one wall rather than nestled in a corner, the area feels open and bright.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rather than
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Conjunction
Her memories of Parchman as a bucolic place rather than as a prison remind me that the children who grew up on the grounds of Parchman probably saw the place the same way.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Because the kitchen is set against one wall rather than nestled in a corner, the area feels open and bright.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Preposition
With speed on the right wing as essentially a pure winger rather than her usual right-back role, Oke gave Reign’s defense fits, especially when another midfielder joined and created overloads.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 2026.
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