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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
As a result, instead of returning investors’ capital and going on to raise more funds, many fund managers have been forced to wait out the cycle. Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 All that insulation is packed into baffles, which are woven instead of stitched into the jacket’s main fabric. Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024 The installation barely considered Black women—including only one, Sojourner Truth, representing her, unlike the others, with a face instead of a vulva. Shameekia Shantel Johnson, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Unlike the brand’s other stand mixers, Professional Series mixers utilize a bowl-lift design instead of a tilt-head design and come with larger bowl capacities ranging from 5 quarts to 7 quarts. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near instead of

Cite this Entry

“Instead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instead%20of. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

instead of

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

More from Merriam-Webster on instead of

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!