instead

American  

[in-sted] / ɪnˈstɛd /

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.

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idioms

1. instead of, in place of; in lieu of.

   You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.

instead British  

/ ɪnˈstɛd /

adverb

1. as a replacement, substitute, or alternative

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

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Etymology

Origin of instead

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

Example Sentences

That lag exists, he explained, because the agency doesn’t have the resources to sample rents everywhere each month; instead, it surveys roughly one-sixth of the total on a rotating basis.

From The Wall Street Journal

Why this jumped out instead of that hanging bride sculpture or a signed dollar from Microsoft founder Bill Gates is hard to say.

From Salon

What is being presented instead is a remembrance and a plea to keep the fires of moral urgency lighted.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'd expected that would be something we would see in the next decade or two instead."

From Science Daily

Hacker groups have instead opted for targets that aren’t likely to be as protected—such as the Justice Ministry, whose operations aren’t typically classified but which still deals with sensitive issues.

From The Wall Street Journal