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

At last count, more than 455 had quit instead of weathering the ongoing uncertainty, according to DHS. —ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026

Send other things that are going to help improve the livelihood of everyday Memphians, instead of just scaring them back into the house. —Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026

The Senate's version of the bill would rely on QR codes instead of adding icons directly to menus, a difference that supporters say could make the information harder to access. —Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Rights holders had to request removal instead of granting permission upfront. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

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