instead of

preposition

in·​stead of in-ˈste-də(v) 

-ˈsti-

: in place of : as a substitute for or alternative to

chose tea instead of coffee

Examples of instead of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My guess is the players might work a little harder to entertain the fans instead of turning what should have been a showcase event into the embarrassment that was this year’s All-Star Weekend. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

That option extended his deal by a further year, meaning the Frenchman is out of contract next summer instead of having been available as a free agent at the end of last season. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Sony has opted for an all-new center stand (called the Mirage Stand) instead of the traditional feet at either end of its TVs. — Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

But my biggest memory was the family sending someone to get him food from Burger King instead of Lawry’s at a media event that week. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in sted of

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instead of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

instead of

preposition

in-ˌsted-ə(v), 

-ˌstid-

: in place of : as a substitute for

had milk instead of juice