instead

[ in-sted ]

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.

instead

/ ɪnˈstɛd /

adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of instead¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of instead¹

C13: from phrase in stead in place

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   You can use milk instead of cream in this recipe.

Example Sentences

Brazil already produces around 85% of the world's ethanol and they produce it from sugar, but instead of having to grow more sugar for ethanol we could redirect the sugar from diets instead.

From Salon

They aren't the only online stars to take their own big-money game show to a conventional streaming platform instead of putting it on YouTube.

From BBC

He and the rest of his entourage watched as the spacecraft aborted its second attempt to catch the returning booster at its launchpad and splashed into the Gulf of Mexico instead.

From Salon

Responding to the announcement, Conservative shadow secretary of defence James Cartlidge criticised it as "cuts, instead of a pathway to 2.5%".

From BBC

This makes it possible to use a satellite connection instead of terrestrial GSM networks, which guarantees coverage even in remote wilderness regions completely independent of local infrastructure.

From Science Daily