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
The season finale, instead, ends with Shane and Ilya's car ride back to their private cottage, which plays out as the end credits roll.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Turn on the Oven Avoid future lasagna disappointment by reheating it in the oven instead.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Turpin got a bad start and couldn’t find the hole and instead pulled up early.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
Residential users on phones or home computers get redirected to scams or malware instead.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Turn on the Oven Avoid future lasagna disappointment by reheating it in the oven instead.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Turpin got a bad start and couldn’t find the hole and instead pulled up early.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
Residential users on phones or home computers get redirected to scams or malware instead.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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