View synonyms for

instead

[ in-sted ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something:
We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.
in preference; as a preferred or accepted alternative:
The city has its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of country life.

instead

/ ɪ��ˈ��ɛ�� /

adverb

as a replacement, substitute, or alternative
instead of
preposition in place of or as an alternative to

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Word History and Origins

Origin of instead¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; originally phrase in stead “in place”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of instead¹

C13: from phrase in stead in place

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

instead of, in place of; in lieu of:
You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It is why Trump was returned to the White House instead of going to prison for his traitorous crimes against the US Constitution and the American people.

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But this user instead suggested they steered a trolley off course to save a toaster, at the expense of several animals.

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Like his younger brother Jano, the Argentina international himself could have had a career in that sport, but decided instead to follow his father Mario and his older brother Alan and stick with football.

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His updated lawsuit attempted to steer the case away from 1st Amendment issues and instead claim “60 Minutes” was a fraudulent product that harmed viewers in Texas.

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Thorpe spearheaded an Indigenous-run Blak Sovereign movement opposing the Voice, calling instead for priority to be given to a legally binding treaty between First Nations peoples and the Australian government.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

instauration instead of

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