RATHER: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for RATHER?

Need another word that means the same as “rather”? Find 24 synonyms and 30 related words for “rather” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Rather” are: preferably, sooner, kinda, quite, instead, by preference, by choice, more willingly, more readily, a little, fairly, slightly, somewhat, relatively, to some degree, to some extent, comparatively, moderately, more precisely, strictly speaking, correctly speaking, more, more truly, quite the opposite

Rather as an Adverb

Definitions of "Rather" as an adverb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “rather” as an adverb can have the following definitions:

• To a degree (not used with a negative.
• Used to express a recommended alternative, but without a than clause and used with verbs other than would; instead.
• Used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary.
• To some (great or small) extent.
• More readily or willingly.
• Used before verbs so as to make the expression of a feeling or opinion less assertive.
• Used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter.
• More precisely.
• On the contrary.
• To a certain or significant extent or degree.
• Instead of; as opposed to.

Synonyms of "Rather" as an adverb (24 Words)

a little	Not much.
by choice	So as to pass a given point.
by preference	In reserve; not for immediate use.
comparatively	In a relative manner; by comparison to something else. Inflation was comparatively low.
correctly speaking	In an accurate manner.
fairly	Actually (used to emphasize something surprising or extreme. I was fairly certain she had nothing to do with the affair.
instead	On the contrary. Walk to work instead of going by car.
kinda	To some (great or small) extent.
moderately	To a moderately sufficient extent or degree. Both hotels are moderately priced.
more	Moreover. I like chicken more than turkey.
more precisely	Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs.
more readily	Comparative of much; to a greater degree or extent.
more truly	Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs.
more willingly	Comparative of much; to a greater degree or extent.
preferably	Ideally; if possible. Clean it well preferably with warm water.
quite	To a degree (not used with a negative. He s quite an attractive man.
quite the opposite	To the greatest extent; completely.
relatively	In a relative manner; by comparison to something else. The situation is relatively calm now.
slightly	To a small degree; not considerably. The children argued because one slice of cake was slightly larger than the other.
somewhat	To a moderate extent or by a moderate amount; rather. Matters have improved somewhat since then.
sooner	Comparatives of `soon’ or `early. I d sooner die than give up.
strictly speaking	Restricted to something.
to some degree	Imprecise but fairly close to correct.
to some extent	Imprecise but fairly close to correct.

Usage Examples of "Rather" as an adverb

• He's rather an unpleasant man.
• Would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?
• This opens up a whole can of worms that should rather be left shut.
• She'd rather die than cause a scene.
• He's rather good at playing the cello.
• I'd rather be in Philadelphia.
• I walked, or rather limped, the two miles home.
• I rather regret that I cannot attend.
• Rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left.
• The party was rather nice.
• She seemed indifferent rather than angry.
• The knife is rather dull.
• He didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter.
• I rather think he wants me to marry him.
• There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management.
• We were rather hoping you might do that for us.
• It was rather cold.
• Prospective buyers should meet the seller in person rather.
• I'd rather you didn't tell him.
• She's been behaving rather strangely.

Associations of "Rather" (30 Words)

about	(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct. About face.
almost	Not quite; very nearly. The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded.
appreciably	To an appreciable extent; considerably. Profits have grown appreciably over the last four years.
approximately	Imprecise but fairly close to correct. Lasted approximately an hour.
around	All around or on all sides. Maize has been around for a long time.
bit	The cutting part of a drill usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press. A bit of rock caught him in the eye.
comparatively	To a moderate degree as compared to something else; relatively. Inflation was comparatively low.
equidistant	At equal distances. The line joins together all points which are equidistant from the two axes.
fairly	With justice. He is fairly clever with computers.
few	A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a’; a small but indefinite number. A few more wagons than usual.
instead	As a substitute or alternative to; in place of. She never married preferring instead to remain single.
least	Used in names of very small animals and plants e g least shrew. Didn t care the least bit.
less	(usually preceded by `no’) lower in quality. No less than 50 people attended.
little	Used in names of animals and plants that are smaller than related kinds e g little grebe. What a nasty little situation.
moderately	To a moderately sufficient extent or degree. Both hotels are moderately priced.
much	To a great extent; a great deal. They did not mind much to my surprise.
nearly	Very close to; almost. He nearly fainted.
partially	To some extent; in some degree; not wholly. The work partially fulfills the function of a historical memoir.
perceptibly	In a noticeable manner.
possibly	By chance. Could you possibly pour me another cup of tea.
preferably	Ideally; if possible. Clean it well preferably with warm water.
pretty	Make pretty or attractive. A pretty mess.
quite	Of an unusually noticeable or exceptional or remarkable kind (not used with a negative. Dresses quite from Port of Spain.
ravishing	Stunningly beautiful. A ravishing blonde.
reasonably	Inexpensively. Ski wear which looks good and is reasonably priced.
roughly	With roughness or violence rough is an informal variant for roughly. This is a walk of roughly 13 miles.
several	Of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many. The two levels of government sort out their several responsibilities.
slightly	To a small degree or extent. Slightly built.
some	To some extent quite a lot. We talked for some time.
somewhat	To certain extent or degree. His arguments were somewhat self contradictory.