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
There are no menus; instead, chat with the bartender about your preferences.
—
Katie Chang, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The plane, however, started to accelerate on a parallel taxiway instead, prompting an air traffic controller to cancel the takeoff clearance.
—Aaron Cooper, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Though the boy and his family rejected the offer to instead auction the item with Fanatics Collect, Pirates owner Bob Nutting still offered a meeting with Pirates players when the team visits LA this season, according to MLB.com.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
It is instead being played in Dubai which has always stepped in when cricket is tangled in politics.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instead
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Katie Chang, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The plane, however, started to accelerate on a parallel taxiway instead, prompting an air traffic controller to cancel the takeoff clearance.
—Aaron Cooper, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Though the boy and his family rejected the offer to instead auction the item with Fanatics Collect, Pirates owner Bob Nutting still offered a meeting with Pirates players when the team visits LA this season, according to MLB.com.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2025
It is instead being played in Dubai which has always stepped in when cricket is tangled in politics.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 9 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instead
adverb
in·stead
in-ˈsted 
: as a substitute
was going to write but called instead
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