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
The exemption for caring for a dependent now applies only to parents or guardians of children under 14, instead of under 18.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Averna is also less bitter than Campari, and so perhaps guided by a compensatory instinct, Taylor reached for Punt e Mes instead of a standard sweet vermouth.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Copilot’s tendency to produce bullet points instead of extended paragraphs can be useful for quick summaries, but Gemini's answers seem more like the products of thought.
—PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2025
After Australia, Lil Jon may be focusing more on road trips instead of long-haul flights.
—Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
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Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Averna is also less bitter than Campari, and so perhaps guided by a compensatory instinct, Taylor reached for Punt e Mes instead of a standard sweet vermouth.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
Copilot’s tendency to produce bullet points instead of extended paragraphs can be useful for quick summaries, but Gemini's answers seem more like the products of thought.
—PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2025
After Australia, Lil Jon may be focusing more on road trips instead of long-haul flights.
—Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead of
Cite this Entry
“Instead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead%20of. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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