Instead Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms instead American [in-sted] / ɪnˈstɛd /

adverb

1. as a substitute or replacement; in the place or stead of someone or something.

   We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.

2. in preference; as a preferred or accepted alternative.

   The city has its pleasures, but she wished instead for the quiet of country life.

idioms

1. instead of, in place of; in lieu of.

   You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.

instead British / ɪnˈstɛd /

adverb

1. as a replacement, substitute, or alternative

2. (preposition) in place of or as an alternative to

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of instead

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said some previous innovations had generated "a lot of free positive publicity" - but the risk with AI was that it risked "a lot negative publicity instead".

From BBC

I also tried shortening my days to seven hours instead of 10.

From MarketWatch

“The pattern repeats itself over and over again in market history: when the market prices a business for death, and that business instead manages a slow decline, the returns can be remarkable,” he says.

From MarketWatch

United started providing less guidance than many other airlines, focusing on earnings per share instead of breaking out other metrics like capacity and fuel costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Food waste is not separated or recycled, but instead is put down the same chute.

From BBC

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.