instead

[ in-sted ]
See synonyms for instead on Thesaurus.com
adverb
  1. as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something: We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.

  2. in preference; as a preferred or accepted alternative: The city has its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of country life.

Idioms about instead

  1. instead of, in place of; in lieu of: You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.

Origin of instead

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; originally phrase in stead “in place”

Words Nearby instead

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use instead in a sentence

  • It was like his beautiful courtesy to call me in and introduce me to Blow instead of letting me go away.

  • Why he did that, instead of walking around on the shore, Jimmy Rabbit couldn't understand.

    The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott Bailey
  • instead of the expected general amnesty, only a few special pardons were granted.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • We see the whole land, even if but at a distance, instead of being limited merely to the spot where our foot treads.

  • But, instead of following up their victory, the half-resolute rioters camped near Guadalupe for the night.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for instead

instead

/ (ɪnˈstɛd) /


adverb
  1. as a replacement, substitute, or alternative

  2. instead of (preposition) in place of or as an alternative to

Origin of instead

1
C13: from phrase in stead in place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012