rather than
1 of 2conjunction
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 awaychose to sing rather than play violin
2
: and not
obscures rather than resolves the problem
why do one thing rather than another?
happy rather than sad
rather than
2 of 2preposition
: instead of
rather than being pleased, she was angry
Word History
First Known Use
Conjunction
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Preposition
1595, in the meaning defined above