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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
- 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
- a bit
- a good bit
- a little
- alternately
- alternatively
- as a matter of choice
- averagely
- by choice
- by preference
- comparatively
- considerably
- enough
- fairly
- first
- in a certain degree
- in lieu of
- in preference
- just as soon
- kind of
- more or less
- more readily
- more willingly
- much sooner
- noticeably
- passably
- pretty
- quite
- ratherish
- reasonably
- relatively
- slightly
- so-so
- some
- something
- somewhat
- sooner
- sort of
- to some degree
- to some extent
- tolerably
- very
- well
- willingly
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019