instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

1

: as a substitute or equivalent

was going to write but called instead

2

: as an alternative to something expressed or implied : rather

longed instead for a quiet country life

Synonyms of instead

• rather

Examples of instead in a Sentence

I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead.

Recent Examples on the Web

Madrid and Barcelona are both outside the path of totality, so won’t see a total solar eclipse, instead seeing only a 99% partial eclipse. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Pelosi did not initially endorse Wiener, despite his long record in San Francisco politics, and instead backed Chan just days before the June 2 primary election. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

The Tigers took a precautionary measure today with another of their trade candidates, right-hander Casey Mize, scratching him from his start and going with a bullpen game instead. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

That means payrolls can be stagnant or shrink, and the unemployment rate will hold steady instead climb. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing instead

• instead of

Rhymes for instead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

: as a substitute

was going to write but called instead