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
But beyond that, the filling of a gourmet or fine chocolate usually leaves out preservatives and artificial flavors, instead using natural ingredients.
—
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026
Hite plans to get the MRI in Florida instead.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
But writer-director Aidan Zamiri’s film instead takes place in the months between Brat’s two public lives.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
If black isn’t to your liking, choose cobalt blue, deep burgundy, or chocolate brown instead.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2026
Hite plans to get the MRI in Florida instead.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
But writer-director Aidan Zamiri’s film instead takes place in the months between Brat’s two public lives.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
If black isn’t to your liking, choose cobalt blue, deep burgundy, or chocolate brown instead.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instead
rather
Adverb
-
Or rather not sang but yelped along happily.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The historical newspaper clippings speak to her belief that the shooting was not a one-off tragedy but rather the latest symptom of resurgent antisemitism.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instead. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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