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
Examples of instead in a Sentence
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wouldn’t it be considered colonial literature instead?
—
JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The cost burden is pushed instead to families, who often find the prospects too pricey.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Money that could strengthen communities or fund innovation instead sits idle, protected by leverage and loopholes.
—Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Democrats have been loath to accept any verbal agreements, instead using the CR fight to demand Republicans permanently extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
The cost burden is pushed instead to families, who often find the prospects too pricey.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Money that could strengthen communities or fund innovation instead sits idle, protected by leverage and loopholes.
—Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Democrats have been loath to accept any verbal agreements, instead using the CR fight to demand Republicans permanently extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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