- in the place of somebody/something
- Lee was ill so I went instead.
- He didn't reply. Instead, he turned on his heel and left the room.
- She said nothing, preferring instead to save her comments till later.
- She might have pursued a successful career in business, but she chose instead to become a nun.
- The UN resisted any tougher sanctions, opting instead for more time to give talks a chance.
- While the Conservatives put the emphasis on the economy, Labour focused instead on public services.
Word OriginMiddle English (originally as two words): from in + stead.
Check pronunciation:
instead