instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

1

: as a substitute or equivalent

was going to write but called instead

2

: as an alternative to something expressed or implied : rather

longed instead for a quiet country life

Synonyms of instead

• rather

Examples of instead in a Sentence

I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead.

Recent Examples on the Web

After the issue was identified, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office directed districts to pause electronic disbursements using BM Technologies and issue paper checks or other payment methods instead. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Maybe Adeyemi’s film future lies instead in front of the camera. — Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026

Sure Sports doesn’t keep any assets under its own roof, instead working with over 100 banks and more than 30 private lending groups to fund its clients’ capital needs in exchange for some combination of an underwriting fee and a spread on the loans. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026

The lawsuit alleges the McRib sandwiches don't contain any pork rib meat and are made from lower-grade pork products instead. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing instead

• instead of

Rhymes for instead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

: as a substitute

was going to write but called instead