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

His proposal would create new requirements for the protest notices now sent to sewer and water customers before rate hikes, which are approved by the City Council instead of being created by ballot measures. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

Clinton, instead of delivering the usual liberal-candidate-seeks-Black-votes hominy, lashed out at her words. —Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026

While those blue states are trying to enshrine higher income taxes on the rich, a California proposal to tax wealth instead of income would be the country’s most ambitious effort to tax wealth in generations. —Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

After the state Legislature cut the university system’s budget by 3% last year to help address the state’s broader budget problem, the CSU reopened its contract with Teamsters Local 2010 and offered the union one-time bonuses instead of the state raises. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 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