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
The sixth-year veteran has been rather terrible as of late.
—Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The relationship between Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has seemed rather complicated.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
But a few of those games have been rather close, particularly last year’s 30-27 win in double overtime.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Like runner’s high, or epiphany in prayer, the goonstate is not the point of the practice, but rather its occasional and unbidden reward.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rather
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Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The relationship between Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has seemed rather complicated.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
But a few of those games have been rather close, particularly last year’s 30-27 win in double overtime.
—Chase Gemes, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Like runner’s high, or epiphany in prayer, the goonstate is not the point of the practice, but rather its occasional and unbidden reward.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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