instead of

preposition

in·​stead of in-ˈste-də(v) 

-ˈsti-

: in place of : as a substitute for or alternative to

chose tea instead of coffee

Examples of instead of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s highly encouraging and spans much more than the lopsided game against the Raiders, a game in which Kansas City eased off the accelerator instead of running up the score even more. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Try etching your gourds instead of carving all the way through, or paint them fun colors and designs. —Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

Unlike past films in the Predator franchise, the Badlands film solely focuses on Thia and Dek's journey battling other Predators, instead of humans fighting the extraterrestrials. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

But, instead of standing up for the rule of law and suing the Administration for its unlawful executive order, Karp and Paul, Weiss settled a mere six days after Trump issued it. —Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in sted of

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instead of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

instead of

preposition

in-ˌsted-ə(v),

-ˌstid-

: in place of : as a substitute for

had milk instead of juice