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
Ryan and Robert Saleh had their beef a few years ago but squashed it rather quickly.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
No official word on Jordan’s plans, but Deadline hears the actor will have some rather mammoth casting news of his own coming later this week.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Tariffs are fees that are slapped on imports, but foreign nations do not pay; rather U.S. importers, like car manufacturers, equipment makers, and construction firms, have to pony up.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
My purpose in sharing this is not to cast blame or defame any specific individual, but rather to educate and equip other leaders.
—Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rather 
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Ryan Morik, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
No official word on Jordan’s plans, but Deadline hears the actor will have some rather mammoth casting news of his own coming later this week.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Tariffs are fees that are slapped on imports, but foreign nations do not pay; rather U.S. importers, like car manufacturers, equipment makers, and construction firms, have to pony up.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
My purpose in sharing this is not to cast blame or defame any specific individual, but rather to educate and equip other leaders.
—Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rather
Dictionary Entries Near rather
Cite this Entry
“Rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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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