as in rather
as a substitute
I was offered a ride, but I chose to walk instead
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Recent Examples of instead
The technocrats, many of whom are career officials from the Palestinian Authority that governs parts of the occupied West Bank, have instead spent their time in meetings, making policy plans for their eventual return to the Gaza Strip and its mounting humanitarian challenges.
—
Matt Bradley, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
Others may get job or rental scams instead.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The commission repurposed material instead, using wooden ballot boxes and blue ink left over from a vaccination drive last year.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Matt Bradley, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
Others may get job or rental scams instead.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The commission repurposed material instead, using wooden ballot boxes and blue ink left over from a vaccination drive last year.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instead
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instead
rather
Adverb
-
During debate over the bill, supporters argued the intent wasn’t to restrict the rights of transgender people, but rather to protect women and girls.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Apr. 2026
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Nussmeier weighed in at a rather light 203 pounds at the NFL Combine and was measured with hands under nine inches.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instead. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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