as in rather
as a substitute
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead
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Recent Examples of instead
Once again, the drama categories come close to jumping over the next threshold, but instead all four categories will have seven nominees.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026
Not Layering Forgoing layers will instead result in an inexpensive-looking space, according to Anais Chaumien, the founder of Design by Anais.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 20 June 2026
Consider, instead, the Netherlands, where producers are more likely to feed fish with shrimp and other natural feed, rather than the cat-food-like pellet that predominates in those large Chinese farms.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 20 June 2026
That debate has sharpened after the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Sirius Solutions, which rejected the IRS’s emphasis on a taxpayer’s active participation and instead focused on the statute and the legal characteristics of limited partner status, including liability protection.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026
Not Layering Forgoing layers will instead result in an inexpensive-looking space, according to Anais Chaumien, the founder of Design by Anais.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 20 June 2026
Consider, instead, the Netherlands, where producers are more likely to feed fish with shrimp and other natural feed, rather than the cat-food-like pellet that predominates in those large Chinese farms.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 20 June 2026
That debate has sharpened after the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Sirius Solutions, which rejected the IRS’s emphasis on a taxpayer’s active participation and instead focused on the statute and the legal characteristics of limited partner status, including liability protection.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instead
rather
Adverb
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The menu at Ardys’ food truck is rather sparse compared to its restaurant in Philippine Cultural Center, but the truck could arguably sell just one item and still do just fine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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In bacteria, transcription factors are rather like keys that fit the locks of unique binding sites on DNA.—
Philip Ball,
Quanta Magazine,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instead. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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