in ‧ stead S1 W1 /ɪnˈsted/ BrE AmE 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.
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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.
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Chris couldn't go to the meeting, so I said that I would go instead.
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Can I have soup instead of salad?
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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?
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A lot of people are choosing to rent rather than buy their own homes.
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I’d say it was warm rather than hot.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?