Synonyms of instead

instead

adverb

in-ˈsted 

as in rather

as a substitute

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rather
• first
• in lieu
• alternately
• alternatively

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of instead

But the strides the Afghan women’s movement has made offers them another reason to resist normalization and instead to invest directly in Afghan people. — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Yet Burkeman reaches a surprising conclusion, observing instead that life is finite, plans fail, and few endeavors are ever truly complete. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

Once created, these assemblages might be concealed beneath doorways or in chimneys or instead worn on the body as a form of portable protection. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Sensors deployed from different platforms could instead contribute information to a broader underwater monitoring network. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026