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instead

2 syllables
Quick answer

As an adverb, instead means in the place of something (usually mentioned earlier).

Meanings of instead

2 meanings

adverb

  1. In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.

    “I was going to go shopping, but I went dancing instead.”

  2. On the contrary

    “rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left”

    “he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter”

    “used English terms instead of Latin ones”

    Similar: rather

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

adverb: in place of, or as an alternative to
adverb: on the contrary

Words that rhyme with instead

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