1
: as a substitute or equivalent
was going to write but called instead
2
: as an alternative to something expressed or implied : rather
longed instead for a quiet country life
Examples of instead in a Sentence
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead.
Recent Examples on the Web
If white isn’t your thing, grab them in a playful pistachio green instead.
—
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 23 May 2026
Puck reports that Hardy allegedly clashed with producers to the point that Jez Butterworth, who co-wrote all of season 1's episodes, threatened to quit, but Hardy was dropped instead.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Five Black candidates already in the race said Wasserman Schultz should instead run in a different new district — that is much more Republican than the 20th.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Seeing their sincerity and faith, God spared Prophet Ismail and instructed Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram instead.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Annie Blackman, InStyle, 23 May 2026
Puck reports that Hardy allegedly clashed with producers to the point that Jez Butterworth, who co-wrote all of season 1's episodes, threatened to quit, but Hardy was dropped instead.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Five Black candidates already in the race said Wasserman Schultz should instead run in a different new district — that is much more Republican than the 20th.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Seeing their sincerity and faith, God spared Prophet Ismail and instructed Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram instead.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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