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
Later in the series, Lorelai and Sookie buy the Dragonfly Inn, and Michel also makes the jump to work there instead.
—
Julia Moore, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not deny the veracity of the article, instead asserting that Israel’s actions have delayed Iran’s nuclear program.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
The gas station is instead designed for quick trips, as the name suggests, according to a company representative who presented the gas station’s proposal to an Aurora City Council committee earlier this month.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
But instead the Bears moved down 15 spots in a trade with Buffalo.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Julia Moore, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not deny the veracity of the article, instead asserting that Israel’s actions have delayed Iran’s nuclear program.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
The gas station is instead designed for quick trips, as the name suggests, according to a company representative who presented the gas station’s proposal to an Aurora City Council committee earlier this month.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
But instead the Bears moved down 15 spots in a trade with Buffalo.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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