instead of

preposition

in·​stead of in-ˈste-də(v) 

-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

What Villars told me is that the ocean economy is entering a phase of decentralized and cross-sector collaboration, instead of grand inter-governmental treaties. —Natalie Sum Yue Chung, Fortune, 3 May 2026

Stay curious instead of defensive. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Let curiosity lead instead of staying locked into details or overanalyzing the situation. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026

So, instead of looking to exercise some demons from their recent past, the Avs will have the opportunity to get payback for ones from further back in the club’s history. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in sted of

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instead of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

instead of

preposition

in-ˌsted-ə(v), 

-ˌstid-

: in place of : as a substitute for

had milk instead of juice