Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
To put it rather uncharitably, the USPHS practiced a major dental experiment on a city full of unconsenting subjects.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Lady Rose is also rather subdued in the premiere, which is a pity.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Rather, it was the Democrats who initially were the Southern Party.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Rather, all of the manufactured antibodies are all stirred up but have nowhere to go.
When You Get the Flu This Winter, You Can Blame Anti-Vaxxers|Kent Sepkowitz|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Accepted them, rather, as a part of the mystery which wrapped him about.
The Breaking Point|Mary Roberts Rinehart
"My case is rather an ugly one to look back upon, truly," Charter granted.
She Buildeth Her House|Will Comfort
But as he was disposed to be too friendly, and to claim too large a share of the lunch, we rather gave him the cold shoulder.
Riverby|John Burroughs
Or, rather, it is wonderful that you should have imagined Manon into that face.
The Nest, The White Pagoda, The Suicide, A Forsaken Temple, Miss Jones and The Masterpiece|Anne Douglas Sedgwick
In depicting the manner of this education Dickens rather overshoots the mark.
Victorian Worthies|George Henry Blore
British Dictionary definitions for rather
rather
/ (ˈrɑːðə) /
adverb(in senses 1-4, not used with a negative)
relatively or fairly; somewhatit's rather dull
to a significant or noticeable extent; quiteshe's rather pretty
to a limited extent or degreeI rather thought that was the case
with better or more just causethis text is rather to be deleted than rewritten
more readily or willingly; soonerI would rather not see you tomorrow
sentence connector
on the contraryit's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed
sentence substitute (ˈrɑːˈðɜː)
an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a questionIs it worth seeing? Rather!
Word Origin for rather
Old English hrathor comparative of hræthready, quick; related to Old Norse hrathr
usage for rather
Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned