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Antonyms for rather


Grammar : Adv
Spell : adverb rath -er, rah-th er; interjection rath -ur, rah-th ur
Phonetic Transcription : adverb ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðər; interjection ˈræðˈɜr, ˈrɑˈðɜr



Definition of rather

Origin :
  • Old English hraþor "more quickly, earlier, sooner," also "more readily," comparative of hraþe, hræþe "quickly, hastily, promptly, readily, immediately," which is related to hræð "quick, nimble, prompt, ready," from Proto-Germanic *khratha- (cf. Old Norse hraðr, Old High German hrad), from PIE *kret- "to shake." The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry (Tennyson); superlative rathest fell from use by 17c. Meaning "more willingly" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "more truly" is attested from late 14c.
  • The rather lambes bene starved with cold[Spenser, "The Shepheardes Calender" (Februarie), 1579]
  • adv moderately
  • adv significantly
  • adv preferably; instead
Example sentences :
  • Rather gain one prize from the Choragus than ten from the Gymnasiarch.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • "He said he was poor," urged Billy, who had been rather taken with the ease of Arledge's manner.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Had you rather witness the sports of the gymnasia than the works of artists?
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Mrs. Rushton was sitting at her work, in rather a disconsolate frame of mind.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • “I had rather study than thrive,” said Ambrose rather dreamily.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • He sat down, rather discontented, and resumed the current of his reflections.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • "I'd rather keep it, if it's the same to you," said Paul, in alarm.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Because I shall owe him, or rather Will, a good deal of money.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • I'd rather trust your judgment now than lots of older men down there.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "You are rather inscrutable," he said, as they resumed the road.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Synonyms for rather

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019