This indicates an alternative in broken dates (7)

I believe the answer is:

instead

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'this indicates an alternative' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'in broken dates' is the wordplay.
'broken' is an anagram indicator.
'dates' anagrammed gives 'stead'.
'in'+'stead'='INSTEAD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for instead that I've seen before include "In place (of)" , "as an alternative option" , "Alternatively" , "In lieu" , "Rather - detains (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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