instead of

preposition

in·​stead of in-ˈste-də(v) How to pronounce instead of (audio)
-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
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The pair created the Giving Pledge to ensure that vast wealth gets distributed instead of hoarded. Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2025 Keeping track of leases, ensuring consistent lease terms and identifying inconsistencies in legal language are critical must-haves for any real estate team, and using AI tools instead of relying solely on your legal team can help reduce human error. Matias Recchia, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 Head coach Brad Underwood decided a year ago to put most of his money toward international recruiting instead of top-line high schoolers or transfers, which gave him a head start with some of the top European prospects coming over this year. Cj Moore, New York Times, 2 June 2025 Now, instead of judges being appointed on a system of merit and experience, Mexican voters will choose between some 7,700 candidates vying for more than 2,600 judicial positions. Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for instead of

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in sted of

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of instead of was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead%20of. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

instead of

preposition
in-ˌsted-ə(v),
-ˌstid-
: in place of : as a substitute for
had milk instead of juice

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