rather than

rather than
rather than phrase
used for saying that one thing is preferred to another or happens instead of another

Doug chose to quit rather than admit that he’d made a mistake.

Rather than criticizing your husband, why not find out if there’s something wrong?

We want the matter settled sooner rather than later.

Thesaurus: instead or instead ofsynonym preferring and preferencesynonym
Main entry: rather

* * *

rather than
1 : in place of (something or someone) : instead of (something or someone)

He writes at a table rather than a desk.

Why do one thing rather than another?

Rather than using dried herbs, he picked fresh ones from the garden.

: and not

She reacted by laughing rather than by getting upset.

He was happy rather than sad.

2
— used to say what is not chosen or done because something else is chosen or done instead

Rather than continue the argument, she walked away.

I chose to sing rather than play an instrument.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑rather

* * *

rather than idiom
instead of sb/sth

•

I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee.

•

Why didn't you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?

Main entry: ↑ratheridiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rather than — index in lieu of Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • rather than — I. conjunction Date: 14th century 1. used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish < rather than continue the argument, he walked away > < chose to sing rather than play violin > 2. and not < obscures… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • rather than — used for saying that one thing is preferred to another or happens instead of another Doug chose to quit rather than admit that he d made a mistake. Rather than criticizing your husband, why not find out if there s something wrong? We want the… …   English dictionary

  • rather than — 1. conjunction And not. Id like to go home early rather than risk the roads later. 2. preposition instead of; in preference to. Id like a dog rather than a cat …   Wiktionary

  • rather than — prep. instead of conj. and not (e.g.: The legs of the table are glued to the body, rather than screwed onto it. ) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • rather...than otherwise — rather…than otherwise Rather than not • • • Main Entry: ↑other …   Useful english dictionary

  • rather…than otherwise — Rather than not ● other …   Useful english dictionary

  • would rather … (than) — would rather… (than) idiom (usually reduced to d rather) would prefer to • She d rather die than give a speech. • ‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I d rather not.’ • Wo …   Useful english dictionary

  • sooner rather than later — ˌsooner rather than ˈlater idiom after a short time rather than after a long time • We urged them to sort out the problem sooner rather than later. Main entry: ↑soonidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • implied rather than expressly stated — index implicit Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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