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 Westin’s outdoor pool is 25 yards, heated year-round, and uses salt water instead of chlorine, so you’ll spot lap swimmers slicing through the steam even in winter. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

And maybe, just maybe, a day when UCF fans are packing the Bounce House for a home playoff game instead of packing their bags for a forgettable Weed Whacker Bowl trip to Shreveport. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026

Or, instead of starting each day with a number, begin with an image—a watercolor landscape, or a witty drawing—with the illustrator Christoph Niemann’s new calendar Every Day ($52). — Nicholas Blechman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026

Many insurers offer discounts for enrolling in automatic payments, choosing electronic documents or paying your entire premium upfront instead of monthly. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Nov. 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