Library / English Dictionary

AT ANY RATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

Example:

but at any rate he got a knighthood for it

Synonyms:

anyhow; anyway; anyways; at any rate; in any case; in any event

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

If nothing else ('leastwise' is informal and 'leastways' is colloquial)

Example:

the influence of economists--or at any rate of economics--is far-reaching

Synonyms:

at any rate; at least; leastways; leastwise

Classified under:

Adverbs

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Credits

 Context examples: 

At any rate, it is safer to leave people to their own devices on such subjects.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The ball had entered my shoulder, and I knew not whether it had remained there or passed through; at any rate I had no means of extracting it.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Then will I go forth and learn how to shudder, and then I shall, at any rate, understand one art which will support me.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

At any rate, I am in your hands. You can take what steps you like. As I have already said, there is no man living who can fear death less than I do.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They were pulling up, at any rate, horrified at the accident; and I soon saw what they were.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse, without authorising us to lock her up for the rest of her life.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

At any rate it would be most ungenerous.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

At any rate, it must be better to have only one to please than two.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

At any rate, said I, it will be better than a long engagement.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

At any rate, however, I am pleased that you have learnt to love a hyacinth.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)