instead meaning and definition

INSTEAD adverb

Definition of instead (adverb)

1. in place of, or as an alternative to
   • "Felix became a herpetologist instead"; "alternatively we could buy a used car"
   • synonyms: alternatively, or else
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"
   • synonyms: rather