instead of
preposition
in·stead of
in-ˈste-də(v) 
-ˈsti-
: in place of : as a substitute for or alternative to
chose tea instead of coffee
Examples of instead of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Maegan Ortiz, executive director of the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California, or IDEPSCA, cited the LAPD’s history of using excessive force against civilians and said that in the recent immigration raids, officers have sometimes inflamed instead of defused tensions.
—
Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Rely on citrus or scented oils instead of going too heavy on artificial fragrances.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
But instead of finding Oliver there, Bree broke down into sobs on the shoulder of Oliver’s wife and fellow Baird professor, Marianne (Gabriella Pession) — all while still donning her Goth attire.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
The Observer used passenger trips instead of revenue miles to calculate crime rates at the advice of several public transit research experts.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
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Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Rely on citrus or scented oils instead of going too heavy on artificial fragrances.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
But instead of finding Oliver there, Bree broke down into sobs on the shoulder of Oliver’s wife and fellow Baird professor, Marianne (Gabriella Pession) — all while still donning her Goth attire.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
The Observer used passenger trips instead of revenue miles to calculate crime rates at the advice of several public transit research experts.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead of
Cite this Entry
“Instead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead%20of. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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