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
Two scans instead of eight, saving me close to $1200.
—
Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Instead, South Florida’s lychee trees use up energy to grow more leaves throughout warm fall and winter seasons instead of waiting to put out blooms that will turn into fruit.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
History has repeatedly shown that socialism doesn’t work, as ideas that seem good in theory often turn into a mess of government bureaucracy, inefficiency, and inertia, setting society and living standards back instead of moving them forward.
—Time, 26 June 2025
Use your favorite dressing instead of poppy seed dressing.
—Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 26 June 2025
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Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Instead, South Florida’s lychee trees use up energy to grow more leaves throughout warm fall and winter seasons instead of waiting to put out blooms that will turn into fruit.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
History has repeatedly shown that socialism doesn’t work, as ideas that seem good in theory often turn into a mess of government bureaucracy, inefficiency, and inertia, setting society and living standards back instead of moving them forward.
—Time, 26 June 2025
Use your favorite dressing instead of poppy seed dressing.
—Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 26 June 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 1 Jul. 2025.
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