Instead definition

ĭn-stĕd

In the place of something previously mentioned; as a substitute or an equivalent.

Having planned to drive, we walked instead.

adverb

In preference; as an alternative.

Yearned instead for a home and family.

adverb

In place of the person or thing mentioned: as an alternative or substitute.

To feel like crying, but to laugh instead.

adverb

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

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

adverb

Instead is defined as something chosen in place of or as a substitute for something else.

When you want to have ice cream but you are out and you settle for pudding, this is an example of a situation where you had pudding instead.

adverb

instead of

idiom

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Middle English in sted of in place of in in in¹ stede place stead of of of

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
in +‎ stead, from Middle English ine (“in”) + stede (“stead”).

From Wiktionary