in‧stead S1 W1 / ɪnsted / 副词

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.

THESAURUS

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?