Difference between Rather and Instead

RATHER vs INSTEAD: ADJECTIVE

Most certainly. Used as an emphatic affirmative reply.
To a certain extent; somewhat.
More exactly; more accurately.
More readily; preferably.
More readily or willingly
To a degree (not used with a negative)
To some (great or small) extent
Earlier; sooner; before.
More readily or willingly; preferably.
On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
In some degree; somewhat
The more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
Prefer to; prefers to.
On the contrary

On the contrary
In place of, or as an alternative to
In the place of something previously mentioned; as a substitute or an equivalent.
In preference; as an alternative.
In the place or room; -- usually followed by of.
Equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of.
In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative

In some degree or measure; somewhat; moderately: usually qualifying an adverb or an adjective: as, she is rather pretty.
In a greater degree; much; considerably; also, in colloquial use, in some degree; somewhat: qualifying a verb.
On the contrary; to the contrary of what has been just stated.
More properly; more correctly speaking; more.
In preference; preferably; with better reason; better.
More readily or willingly; with better liking; with preference or choice; in preference, as compared with something else.
Earlier; sooner.
More quickly; quicker. See rath, adverb, 1.
Rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"

In the stead; in place or room; hence, in equivalence or substitution: followed by of.
In its stead; in place of it, or of the thing or act mentioned.
Rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"

Better, Actually, Perhaps, Preferable, Than, More, Simply, Merely, Sort of, Kind of, Kinda, Quite, Preferably, Sooner, Instead

Preferably, But, Versus, Not, Now, Better, Meanwhile, Conversely, Alternately, Actually, Before, As an alternative, Or else, Alternatively, Rather

Conversely, Better, Actually, Perhaps, Preferable, Than, More, Simply, Merely, Sort of, Kinda, Quite, Preferably, Sooner, Instead

However, Replace, Precisely, Otherwise, Preferably, But, Versus, Not, Now, Better, Conversely, Actually, Before, Or else, Rather

Rather kill mistakenly than to miss an enemy.
Apple ID but rather my Social Security Number.
Peer Review Department rather than to the reviewer.
If so, it would have been rather new.
Deng as an internal, rather than external, problem.
Need your equipment calibrated sooner rather than later?
Rather than stand trial, she fled the country.
Rather, it is usually a friend or relative.
Also rather obvious from the name, we suppose.
Take an informal class vote to see how many students would rather be independent from Britain and how many would rather reconcile with Britain.

No points for guessing who Marbas possesses instead.
Instead, there is usually a deadline for acceptance.
Unexpectedly, she learns about her own feelings instead.
Instead of claiming he was fighting communism, he instead claimed he was fighting terrorism.
Instead of taking the risk of driving without auto insurance, why not secure cheap auto insurance you can trust instead?
Instead, I recommend using a thin felt tip or fountain pen instead of one with a ballpoint.
After completing college, instead of embarking on a career and chasing the almighty dollar, he chose instead to serve his country.
They have since had roller blading instead of ice skating, so you could do that instead.
Facelets instead of JSP in your application, you can instead create XHTML files.
So instead, focus on completing one task at a time instead of several.