instead of

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.

Example Sentences

Instead of a grand vehicle for himself, he chose a small domestic drama adapted from Judith Guest’s novel, about a family unraveling after loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Now trailing the Phillies by 5 ½ games with a dozen games to play, there’s virtually no way the Dodgers can pass them and finish with the National League’s second-best record, which means instead of getting a week off they are headed for a dangerous three-game wild card series.

From Los Angeles Times

Silwan resident Fakhri Abu Diab, 63, said Mr Rubio was choosing to back extremists in the Israeli government instead of being on the side of international law.

From BBC

Michelle, 15, plans to "read a book to fall asleep", instead of staying up on her phone and laptop.

From BBC

"If you have a problem, I wish you'd just say it to my face instead of my bumper," he deadpans.

From BBC