instead
[adverb]
Synonyms:
- rather, alternatively, in lieu, in preference, on second thoughts, preferably
- instead of: in place of, in lieu of, rather than

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English Thesaurus: instead, rather than, in somebody/sth’s place, on behalf of somebody/on sb’s behalf, in favour of, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

in‧stead S1 W1 /ɪnˈsted/ adverb

1. instead of somebody/something used to say what is not used, does not happen etc, when something else is used, happens etc:
You probably picked up my keys instead of yours.
Could I have tuna instead of ham?
Instead of being annoyed, he seemed quite pleased.

2. used to say what is done, when you have just said that a particular thing is not done:
Geoff didn’t study law. Instead, he decided to become an actor.
If Jo can’t attend the meeting, I could go instead.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

instead
adverb
1.
BAD: Instead of to go to a disco, we went to the cinema.
GOOD: Instead of going to a disco, we went to the cinema.
BAD: You should go out more instead to stay at home all the time.
GOOD: You should go out more instead of staying at home all the time.

Usage Note:
instead of (doing ) sth : 'Instead of waiting for a bus, we decided that it would be quicker to walk.'

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2.
BAD: We had planned to go to the museum but we went to the park instead of it.
GOOD: We had planned to go to the museum but we went to the park instead.

Usage Note:
Instead means 'instead of it/that': 'Wendy said she was too tired to play badminton and so we went to the cinema instead.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

instead used when saying that a particular thing is used or happens and not another thing, or that someone does something and not another person:
There were no single rooms, so I booked a double instead.
Chris couldn't go to the meeting, so I said that I would go instead.
Can I have soup instead of salad?
I really wished it had been me instead of him.
rather than instead of something or someone - often used when someone does something instead of doing another thing, because it seems better or more suitable:
Rather than driving around all day looking for somewhere to park, why don’t you take a bus into town?
A lot of people are choosing to rent rather than buy their own homes.
I’d say it was warm rather than hot.
It might be better if you asked him rather than me.
in somebody/sth’s place having the position or role that something or someone else once had:
The factory was demolished and flats were built in its place.
If I refused to go, they would send someone else in my place.
on behalf of somebody/on sb’s behalf instead of someone or as their representative:
She asked the doctor to speak to her parents on her behalf.
He collected the award on behalf of his sister.
in favour of British English, in favor of American English used when something is not chosen or used, because something else seems much better:
The original plan was abandoned in favour of a new proposal.
She was rejected for the job in favor of a more experienced teacher.
in preference to formal used when something is chosen or used because it seems much better than something else:
What makes customers choose one brand in preference to another?

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲