instead of

Idioms  

1. Also, in lieu of; in place of; in someone's stead. In substitution for, rather than. For example, She wore a dress instead of slacks, or They had a soprano in lieu of a tenor, or In place of soft drinks they served fruit juice, or The chairman spoke in her stead. Instead of dates from about 1200; in lieu of, which borrows lieu, meaning “place,” from French, dates from the late 1200s; in place of dates from the 1500s; and in someone's stead from the 1200s. Also see under in someone's shoes.

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Example Sentences

Instead of focusing only on the number on the scale, people with prediabetes may benefit from strategies that influence how fat is distributed in the body.

From Science Daily

The job switchers’ premium—the additional money people earn by jumping ship instead of staying put—has been dwindling for a while.

From The Wall Street Journal

Apps can reduce fees they pay Apple by requiring users to sign up for subscriptions on their own websites instead of in the App Store, though not in every market, and not all are pushing this option.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Mama,” I said as I set the tray on the bed and sat down beside it, “can’t we do something for Tante Bep? I mean, isn’t it sad that she has to spend her last days here where she hates it, instead of where she was so happy? The Wallers’ or someplace?”

From Literature

The straw pallets were rolled instead of piled in a heap, standing like little pillars along the walls, each with a lady’s hat atop it.

From Literature