instead

adverb in·stead \ in-ˈsted \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: instead in a Sentence

Definition of instead

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

See instead defined for English-language learners

See instead defined for kids

Examples of instead in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of instead from the Web

Who, instead, might be able to enact reforms in the music world?

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "What Went Wrong With Spotify’s ‘Hateful Conduct’ Policy?," 5 June 2018
The tribe never made a formal request to have the objects repatriated and instead chose to work with the European institution.

— gillian flaccus, The Christian Science Monitor, "British Museum to return Native American artifacts to Oregon tribe," 5 June 2018
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had refused to apologize for the remark and instead expressed outrage that the comment had leaked from an internal meeting.

— toluse olorunnipa, Bloomberg.com, "White House Aide Who Made Crude Joke About McCain Leaves Job," 5 June 2018
Howard County officials are not currently considering using iNWS, instead opting to stick with the IPAWS system, according to county spokesman Paul Milton.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "Some in Ellicott City say cellphone emergency flood alerts came too late," 4 June 2018
If conflict is going to be less in the 21st Century of rockets firing at each other, but instead, manipulation of data, manipulation of information, then yes.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full video and transcript: U.S. Senator Mark Warner at Code 2018," 30 May 2018
The darkness of the moment is, instead, buried in the machinations of the characters themselves—in their moral and social aptitude, which is far less mighty than these characters seem to realize.

— k. austin collins, HWD, "Why We Still Love The Last Days of Disco," 29 May 2018
Is skeptical of the bus rapid transit line on Geary Boulevard and says the city should look at building a new subway line instead.

— dominic fracassa, SFChronicle.com, "Where SF mayoral candidates stand on city’s biggest issues," 25 May 2018
Both screens aren’t used at once; instead, the main display will switch off to save power, letting the low-power top display remain on and present the time.

— jacob kastrenakes, The Verge, "The TicWatch Pro uses a transparent second display to save power," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of instead

1667

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

instead Synonyms

Synonyms

first, rather;

Related Words

alternately, alternatively;

Phrases

in lieu;

INSTEAD Defined for Kids

instead

adverb in·stead \ in-ˈsted \

Definition of instead for Students

: as a substitute I was going to write but called instead.

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See words that rhyme with instead Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for instead Spanish Central: Translation of instead Nglish: Translation of instead for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of instead for Arabic speakers

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