Synonyms for rather
ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðərrather

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ratheradverb

   Synonyms:
   liefer, liever, fairly, somewhat, as lief, quite

2. ratheradverb

   To prefer; to prefer to.

   Synonyms:
   liefer, fairly, somewhat, quite, liever, as lief

3. ratheradverb

   Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably.

   Synonyms:
   liever, liefer, somewhat, quite, as lief, fairly

4. ratheradverb

   Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

   Synonyms:
   as lief, quite, somewhat, fairly, liefer, liever

5. ratheradverb

   Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)

   Synonyms:
   liever, fairly, as lief, somewhat, quite, liefer

6. ratheradverb

   Somewhat, fairly.

   Synonyms:
   quite, fairly, liever, somewhat, as lief, liefer

   Antonyms:
   utterly

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. rather

   Synonyms:
   sooner than, in preference to

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. rather, insteadadverb

   on the contrary

   "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"

   Synonyms:
   sooner, kinda, alternatively, instead, quite, or else, sort of, preferably, kind of

2. rather, kind of, kinda, sort ofadverb

   to some (great or small) extent

   "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"

   Synonyms:
   sooner, kinda, instead, quite, sort of, preferably, kind of

3. preferably, sooner, ratheradverb

   more readily or willingly

   "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up"

   Synonyms:
   sooner, kinda, instead, quite, earlier, sort of, preferably, kind of

4. quite, ratheradverb

   to a degree (not used with a negative)

   "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"

   Synonyms:
   sooner, kinda, instead, quite, quite an, sort of, preferably, kind of, quite a

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. ratheradjective

   Synonyms:
   preferably, in preference

2. ratheradjective

   Synonyms:
   moderately, in some measure, in some degree

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "rather":

   instead, quite, pretty, somewhat, fairly, relatively, enough, kinda, sooner, slightly, very, but

How to pronounce rather?

How to say rather in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. 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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use rather in a sentence?

1. Salma Hayek:

   My doctor begged me to go to the hospital because it was so bad, i said, ‘No, thank you. I’d rather die at home.’.

2. The Palestinians:

   This plan will bring no solution but rather will create more tensions and probably more violence and bloodshed.

3. Samuel Johnson:

   Do not discourage your children from hoarding, if they have a taste to it; whoever lays up his penny rather than part with it for a cake, at least is not the slave of gross appetite; and shows besides a preference always to be esteemed, of the future to the present moment.

4. Jeffrey Sather:

   Being at capacity is a reality not just here in Minot but across the state, the general population doesnt realize the struggles that health systems are going through unless you or your family is one of those patients getting transferred across the state... or laying on an ER gurney rather than a hospital bed for 24 hours or more.

5. Hidetomo Kimura:

   I wanted to create an artistic installation which is alive by using real fish, rather than materials or pictures.