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

See Examples For:

instead of

McCotter quoted Carter as telling federal authorities to “get busier” on those, instead of pushing civil litigation against the state.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Evolution often modifies structures that already exist instead of developing completely new systems.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026

But then he managed to get booted from even that gig after he scolded Americans for hanging out at the mall instead of studying.

From Slate ● 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

It’s the only reason I can think of that a boy his age would be home instead of fighting in Europe.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

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