instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

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

Synonyms of instead

• rather

Examples of instead in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

If Silo season 4 doesn’t arrive 10-11 months after season 3 and is pushed to a year or more instead, the likely reason is just Apple TV’s show scheduling. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Still, for every resourceful, imaginative low-budget success, there is a bungled movie that aspires, if not to quality, then at least to financial viability, but instead achieves legendary ineptitude. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Allergists recommend bypassing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and instead, picking your favorite nonsedating antihistamine pill, like fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), according to the World Allergy Organization. — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

The researchers instead gave Claude access to a dedicated laser testbed through the Model Hardware Standard, or MHS. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing instead

• instead of

Rhymes for instead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

instead

adverb

in·​stead in-ˈsted 

: as a substitute

was going to write but called instead