Rather
Famous anchor's name
Rather is an adverb used to express preference, degree, or correction.
It can signal a choice between alternatives (I’d rather stay home than go out), emphasize a degree (It’s rather cold today), or introduce a correction (It’s not blue, but rather green).
Historically, rather evolved from Old English <b>hræþer</b>, meaning “more quickly,” which explains its use in comparisons and preferences.
In British English, rather can also convey polite understatement or enthusiasm: That’s rather splendid! .
As a replacement
- alternativelyBy another choice
- on the contraryIntroducing an opposing viewpoint
- converselyIn opposite manner
- otherwiseIn another manner
in place of · in lieu of · as opposed to · contrarily · oppositely · inversely
To a moderate extent
- fairlyModerately or equitably
- quiteTo a notable degree
- prettyPleasing in appearance
- moderatelyTo a limited degree
reasonably · tolerably · passably · adequately · decently · sufficiently · to some extent · to a degree
With stated preference
- ideallyIn perfect circumstances
- soonerEarlier or preferably
- insteadAs a replacement
- alternativelyBy another choice
optionally · first · better · fain · willingly · gladly · by choice · given the choice
To a notable degree
- veryTo high degree
- decidedlyWithout any doubt
- definitelyWith complete certainty
- certainlyWithout any doubt
absolutely · positively · undoubtedly · assuredly · indeed · truly · really · genuinely
With increased accuracy
- strictly speakingIn the narrowest sense
- actuallyIn truth, not supposedly
- in factEmphasizing what's true
- indeedWord affirming emphasis
instead
As a replacement
- alternativelyBy another choice
- on the contraryIntroducing an opposing viewpoint
- converselyIn opposite manner
otherwise · in place of · in lieu of · as opposed to · contrarily · oppositely · inversely
somewhat
To a moderate extent
moderately · reasonably · tolerably · passably · adequately · decently · sufficiently · to some extent · to a degree · kind of
preferably
With stated preference
alternatively · optionally · first · better · fain · willingly · gladly · by choice · given the choice · if anything
quite
To a notable degree
- veryTo high degree
- decidedlyWithout any doubt
- definitelyWith complete certainty
certainly · absolutely · positively · undoubtedly · assuredly · indeed · truly · really · genuinely · thoroughly
more precisely
With increased accuracy
- strictly speakingIn the narrowest sense
- actuallyIn truth, not supposedly
- in factEmphasizing what's true
indeed · truly · really · more specifically
Ratherreluctantly
With obvious unwillingness
unwillingly · grudgingly · against one's will · disinclined · by no means
Ratherextremely
To an intense degree
completely · absolutely · not at all · entirely · totally
Ratherexactly
With total accuracy
precisely · more or less · approximately · roughly · in other words
- would ratherExpresses a preference
- rather thanExpressing preference between options
- would you ratherHypothetical preference query
- or ratherSelf-correction phrase
- sooner rather than laterExpressing preference for promptness
- rather not
rate, ratify, ratio, reason, rational, rationality, rationalize, irrational, irrationality