as in rather
as a substitute
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instead
Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Princess Diana often avoided tights, using tanning oil instead.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Rather than completing the first overland crossing in Antarctica, Shackleton instead made headlines for leading every one of his men to safety — a feat that also earned him a telegram of personal congratulations from the United Kingdom’s King George V.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Often, when Nicholas tried to interview a correction officer, the officer would walk away and bring over his wife or a retired officer to talk instead.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Princess Diana often avoided tights, using tanning oil instead.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Rather than completing the first overland crossing in Antarctica, Shackleton instead made headlines for leading every one of his men to safety — a feat that also earned him a telegram of personal congratulations from the United Kingdom’s King George V.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Often, when Nicholas tried to interview a correction officer, the officer would walk away and bring over his wife or a retired officer to talk instead.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instead
rather
Adverb
-
On the left wing, Charlton selects a rather more famous winger, Paco Gento.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Stephen Frears’s Gothic drama is, to be fair, rather watchable — atmospheric and melancholic, with John Malkovich clearly getting a kick out of chewing any and all available scenery.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instead. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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