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
Iranian officials have rejected plans for a temporary ceasefire and have instead called for a permanent end to the conflict.
—
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
By contrast, people who aren’t experts in this kind of transformation—which is to say, just about everyone else—are, instead, experts in memory.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
David Brown did not agree, but instead recommended that Stillman be suspended for no more than five days.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The union had sought an injunction of the voluntary buyout in February, but the court ordered that the labor dispute instead goes to arbitration.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Hugh Leask, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
By contrast, people who aren’t experts in this kind of transformation—which is to say, just about everyone else—are, instead, experts in memory.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
David Brown did not agree, but instead recommended that Stillman be suspended for no more than five days.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The union had sought an injunction of the voluntary buyout in February, but the court ordered that the labor dispute instead goes to arbitration.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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