would rather
idiom
—used to indicate what one wants or prefers to do, have, etc.
She would rather drive than take the train.
I would rather you didn't tell them.
"If you'd rather, we can go outside." "No, thanks—I'd rather not."
Which beach would you rather go to?
Examples of would rather in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That probably explains why more people would rather wait on hold to talk to a human agent than get instant help from a computer program that can only operate within extremely narrow parameters.
—
Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Partner with investigative journalists, whistleblowers and survivor advocates to unearth what companies, institutions and industries would rather keep hidden.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
The alternative option is a $1,000 first-bet safety net, which is better for new customers who would rather make a hefty bet on an NBA game.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Keep reading to learn about the four main paint shades that pros would rather not see in a hallway, and why.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would rather
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Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Partner with investigative journalists, whistleblowers and survivor advocates to unearth what companies, institutions and industries would rather keep hidden.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
The alternative option is a $1,000 first-bet safety net, which is better for new customers who would rather make a hefty bet on an NBA game.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Keep reading to learn about the four main paint shades that pros would rather not see in a hallway, and why.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for would rather
Cite this Entry
“Would rather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/would%20rather. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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