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

For instance, the state's program is funded by a fee on oil production instead of by taxpayers, which means the industry is, in a roundabout way, paying to clean up its own footprint. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025

But some may wonder, why give the bonus in cryptocurrency instead of just adding it to an employee’s next paycheck? —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 8 July 2025

There’s a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from chasing style instead of living it. —Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 8 July 2025

Terrain and Hydrology The region hardest hit — the Texas Hill Country — is particularly vulnerable to flash flooding due to its rugged terrain and shallow soil: Steep slopes and limestone bedrock cause water to run off quickly instead of soaking into the ground. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

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