AT ANY RATE

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does at any rate mean? 

• AT ANY RATE (adverb)
  The adverb AT ANY RATE has 2 senses:

1. used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

2. if nothing else ('leastwise' is informal and 'leastways' is colloquial)

  Familiarity information: AT ANY RATE used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AT ANY RATE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Synonyms:

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

Context example:

but at any rate he got a knighthood for it

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Synonyms:

at any rate; at least; leastways; leastwise

Context example:

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

Domain usage:

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

 Context examples 

There is a chance of escape, or at any rate of being able to send word home.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

At any rate he knew he could write it better now.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“That's a settler for our military friend, at any rate,” said my aunt, on the way home.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

But at any rate I have shown, have I not, that there is a certain element of improbability about the lady’s story?

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At any rate, it was there, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the forbidden door.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At any rate she deserved both.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

At any rate, it was a lie.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I had always conceived a burial at sea to be a very solemn and awe-inspiring event, but I was quickly disillusioned, by this burial at any rate.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

At any rate, on our side the shield, it was considered a knock-out blow to him.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

At any rate, it shall be strong enough to search—inquire—to grope an outlet from this cloud of doubt, and find the open day of certainty.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)