What is the meaning of instead?

In place of, or as an alternative to.
- usage: "Felix became a herpetologist instead"; "alternatively we could buy a used car"
- synonyms: alternatively, or else
On the contrary.
- usage: "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

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APA	WordNet. (2010). instead. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/instead/definitions/1252179
Chicago	WordNet. 2010. "instead" http://smartdefine.org/instead/definitions/1252179 (accessed September 20, 2026).
Harvard	WordNet 2010, instead, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/instead/definitions/1252179>.
MLA	WordNet. "instead" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/instead/definitions/1252179>

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