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 approved, the foundation would instead use the money for the adaptive swing at Dagg Park.
—
Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Use this guide to discover what summer habits secretly spike utility bills and what to do instead.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025
Manufacturers tend not to announce their cancellations but instead hope that people forget about their original proposals.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Marten did not answer the question, asking instead why she was being arrested.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Use this guide to discover what summer habits secretly spike utility bills and what to do instead.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025
Manufacturers tend not to announce their cancellations but instead hope that people forget about their original proposals.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 19 July 2025
Marten did not answer the question, asking instead why she was being arrested.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 19 July 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 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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