instead
Americanadverb
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as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something.
We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.
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in preference; as a preferred or accepted alternative.
The city has its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of country life.
idioms
adverb
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as a replacement, substitute, or alternative
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(preposition) in place of or as an alternative to
Etymology
Origin of instead
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; originally phrase in stead “in place”
Explanation
The adverb instead means in place of or as a substitute for something else. If your best friend has a temper tantrum every time you play miniature golf, maybe next time you should go to the movies instead. The adverb instead was originally two words, "in stead," with "stead" coming from stede, the Old English word for place. The adverb instead can also mean rather than, and in this context it's usually followed by "of." Instead of worrying about the weather for your vacation, which is beyond your control, you should worry about whether you packed everything you need.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"But when tubulin is present, Tau and alpha-synuclein shift away from harmful aggregates and instead promote the assembly of healthy microtubules," Lucas said.
From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026
But nine is still far too young to be playing with devices instead of toys.
From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026
But it would let markets focus on other things, instead of Fed statements and forward guidance, which are a best guess, and often incorrect, she added.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 21, 2026
It might leave us all with more time to read books, go outdoors... or use our phones to chat with AI instead.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026
Like, yesterday at work when a jumbo-sized Pepsi spilled all over her T-shirt, she refused my spare shirt because it was a cotton-poly blend instead of something called OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
