instead of

preposition

in·​stead of in-ˈste-də(v) How to pronounce instead of (audio)
-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
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The city has since added about five new positions, instead of the six Greenberg proposed, mayor's office spokesperson Allison Martin said. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 3 Feb. 2025 These 1500-watt electric heaters at Walmart plug into any wall outlet and offer instant relief from the cold for the people in front of them instead of heating the surrounding air. Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025 Myopia occurs when the shape of the eye causes light rays to bend and focus in front of the retina instead of on it. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025 Osborn has since launched a political action committee to elect working-class candidates with a message of top vs. bottom, instead of Left vs. Right. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for instead of 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in sted of

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of instead of was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near instead of

Cite this Entry

“Instead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead%20of. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

instead of

preposition
in-ˌsted-ə(v),
-ˌstid-
: in place of : as a substitute for
had milk instead of juice

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