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
Examples of instead in a Sentence
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead.
Recent Examples on the Web
The upcoming film, titled The Social Reckoning, will instead see Jeremy Strong take over as the newest onscreen iteration of Zuckerberg.
—
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Because the Dolphins chose not to activate Jalen Wright for the game — instead going with five receivers and two tailbacks on the game day roster — the Dolphins seemingly had to abandon the two tailbacks package that was effective in last week’s win over the Falcons.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The screening was instead introduced by Indya Moore, who stars in the Golden Lion winner alongside Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Sarah Greene, Luka Sabbat, and Françoise Lebrun.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Freddy doesn’t just haunt Jesse’s dreams; instead, Freddy uses Jesse as a conduit to manifest himself into reality (which, yes, kind of goes against what Freddy’s supernatural powers are supposed to be).
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Because the Dolphins chose not to activate Jalen Wright for the game — instead going with five receivers and two tailbacks on the game day roster — the Dolphins seemingly had to abandon the two tailbacks package that was effective in last week’s win over the Falcons.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The screening was instead introduced by Indya Moore, who stars in the Golden Lion winner alongside Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Sarah Greene, Luka Sabbat, and Françoise Lebrun.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Freddy doesn’t just haunt Jesse’s dreams; instead, Freddy uses Jesse as a conduit to manifest himself into reality (which, yes, kind of goes against what Freddy’s supernatural powers are supposed to be).
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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