would rather

VERB

prefer

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adopt choose go for pick promote put select suggest wish

STRONG

advance aggrandize cull desire elect elevate fancy finger incline mark place pose present proposition propound raise tag take tap upgrade

WEAK

be partial to be turned on to fix upon like better opt for optate propone put forward would sooner

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dislike hate refuse reject

STRONG

decrease depress disgrace drop ignore lessen lose lower stop withhold

WEAK

spurn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the Treasury curve, I would rather lend Uncle Sam money for two years than 30.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

“And viewers obviously would rather watch a couple of five-minute clips than a whole show.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

I would rather see the government invest in education.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Demand for that degree tends to be countercyclical, which means when the job market is good, people would rather stay in it and make money.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

But even if that was the case, Dicey knew her cousin would rather have been a nun.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

would rather

Example Sentences

Related Words