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”

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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

See Examples For:

instead

They described their move as a "gesture of fair play" as Mamore would progress through to the final, and Uberlandia will instead focus on the third-place match.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Partial returns also showed L.A. voters turning thumbs up on a City Charter amendment that would allow the City Council to meet just once a week, instead of the thrice-weekly meetings now required.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

What we can have instead is a more potent, more productive, more demanding form of libbing out.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026

And, instead of relying on vulnerable coastal radars, which have been repeatedly targeted by U.S. airstrikes, Iran now favors human spotters, said Brew, the analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

She refused the relative safety and comfort of house arrest with a German family and chose to go to prison instead.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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