as in rather
as a substitute I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instead Kansas City residents and visitors hoping to ride the streetcar this week will be met with the bus instead. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025 For instance, Curt Flood’s historic case against Major League Baseball wasn’t sports law, but instead an antitrust case involving a baseball player. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2025 This is a band at the height of its powers that could have easily continued making great records, and instead chose not to. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 There’s little evidence Terrell has been directly involved in negotiations with campuses under investigation; instead, those appear to have been increasingly steered by the White House. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instead
rather
Adverb
  • Southerners have long been known to have the gift of gab, and that discerning quality has resulted in a rather enthusiastic take on small talk.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instead. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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