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

So, instead of trying to raise the temperature of the entire plasma, the team combined high-energy neutral beam injection with radio frequency waves. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

As Sportico wrote last month, the Grand Slam is now a true three-week event, instead of a two-week event with a small appetizer. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Already, though, Ropp is in post on his sophomore feature, Dedicated to Morris Burke, starring Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph as a widow who discovers that her late husband’s final novel is dedicated to a mysterious man instead of her. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

The episode served as somewhat of a series reboot for the show, with its titular character now coaching a women’s soccer team instead of a men’s program. — Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 29 Sep. 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