instead

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   In place of something else; as a different choice.

   There was no coffee, so I had tea instead.

2. 2
   adv

   Used to say what really happens or is done, in contrast to what was expected.

   I expected him to be angry, but instead he laughed.

From in + stead, from Middle English ine (“in”) + stede (“stead”). Related to German statt.

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