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

Tonight’s Gemini new moon invites you to set an intention from your head instead of your heart. —Usa Today, USA Today, 14 June 2026

This year, instead of traveling to Orlando for the annual Pulse remembrances, the family chose a different way to honor him. —Ted Scouten, CBS News, 13 June 2026

The summer provisions are typically triggered when temperatures reach a certain level or when heat emergencies are declared, instead of the blanket winter disconnection moratoriums. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Those districts are represented by Hugo Soto-Martínez, Eunisses Hernandez and Ysabel Jurado, respectively — all members of Democratic Socialists of America, who all endorsed Bass instead of Raman, a DSA member herself. —Los Angeles Times, 13 June 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