DictionarysoonPreference
adverb

soon

With equal or greater willingness.

I would just as soon stay home and cook tonight.

Etymology

Soon developed comparative uses meaning sooner or more readily. In would as soon or would sooner, temporal priority becomes preference or willingness.

More examples

  • She would sooner walk than wait for another bus.
  • We would as soon take the train as drive.
  • He would sooner resign than approve the dishonest report.

Forms

soon · sooner · soonest

Similar words

rather
The more usual word for expressing a preference.
prefer
Prefer directly states a choice without the comparison in would as soon.