alter

verb

al·​ter ˈȯl-tər How to pronounce alter (audio)
altered; altering ˈȯl-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce alter (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to make different without changing into something else
an event that altered the course of history
2
: castrate, spay
had the puppies altered

intransitive verb

: to become different
customs that alter with the times
alterability noun
alterable adjective
alterably adverb
alterer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for alter

change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different.

change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

Examples of alter in a Sentence

Alcohol can alter a person's mood. He altered his will to leave everything to his sister. This one small event altered the course of history. The place has altered in the 10 years since I left. I'll need to have the dress altered before the wedding.
Recent Examples on the Web There is no evidence they’ve been manipulated to alter the results of an election. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 And this story isn’t about about the recent storms, but Hayley also wrote about new research warning that with climate change, a crucial ocean current could collapse, altering global weather. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Her disappearance altered practices and people. March 3, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 South Carolina was assessed an administrative technical for altering its starting lineup too close to tipoff, and Samara Spencer gave the Razorbacks a 2-0 lead with free throws before the clock started. Ethan Westerman, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2024 What a great example of altering the facts to support his opinion. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 However, today's economic volatility and global events have significantly altered the traditional understanding of wealth. Ellie Perlman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Humans have altered the Earth so much that migratory animals are facing extinction Warmth reaches the East Coast by Wednesday. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 The Knicks believe they were wronged and are seeking a resolution that would give them a chance to alter the game, such as replaying the final 8.3 seconds – the point at which Houston in-bounded the basketball. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alteren "to change, transform," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French alterer, borrowed from Late Latin alterāre, verbal derivative of Latin alter "second, another, next," derivative, with the suffix of opposition -ter-, from the base of alius "other" — more at else entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near alter

Cite this Entry

“Alter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alter

verb
al·​ter ˈȯl-tər How to pronounce alter (audio)
1
: to change partly but usually not completely
alter a dress
2
alterability noun
alterable adjective
alterer noun
Etymology

Middle English alteren "to make different," from Latin alterare (same meaning), from Latin alter "other (of two)" — related to adulterate

Medical Definition

alter

1 of 2 transitive verb
al·​ter
ˈȯl-tər
altered; altering
-t(ə-)riŋ

alter

2 of 2 noun
: one of the distinct identities or personality states manifested in an individual with dissociative identity disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on alter

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