alternate 1 of 3

verb

Definition of alternatenext
as in to mix
to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series To make the appetizer, you should alternate layers of tomatoes and cheese. The poem alternates fear and hope.

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alternate

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in alternative

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in backup

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in seasonal

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Dissimilar Words

alternate

3 of 3

noun

as in substitute

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of alternate
Verb
Alternating Oblique Knee Drive 1 minute, alternating legs This move is for the major muscles running alongside the sides of your torso. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026 Over 38 days, a selection of adult male mice alternated days of feeding with days without access to food. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Because the county’s compost sites are nearing capacity and cannot accept more debris, plans are being made for alternate arrangements. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 Return to the starting position with control and alternate sides. — Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Men’s Senior Selection Committee (SSC) will name the six-man team (one alternate) at the conclusion of Saturday’s competition. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The leagues are eight weeks, with different formats like head-to-head match play or the tag-team alternate shot each week. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternate
  1. mix
  2. alternative
  3. backup
  4. seasonal
  5. substitute
  6. combine
  7. makeshift
  8. serial
Verb
  • Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with your dog's current food.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star is already in the Bravo universe and is going to trade franchises and mix in with the likes of Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, Sutton Stracke, Erika Jayne, Rachel Zoe and Bozoma Saint John.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • Most of the time, people come with their pre-existing views and biases, repeat them out loud, close their minds to alternative perspectives, and go home even more sure of their ways.
    — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Another is by directing government funds to further diversify exports away from China to alternative markets.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Inadvertently, Diana’s acceptance of Dodi’s backup offer to vacation again on his superyacht Jonikal set in motion the events which brought them to Paris and their tragic, fatal crash.
    — Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • At 180º Restaurant, the menu follows the rhythm of the day, from breakfast through dinner, with fresh, seasonal ingredients taking center stage.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • Lawmakers could offer substitute proposals, with final votes after 100 hours of debate.
    — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Quinta de la Rosa Extra Dry White Port Perfumed with a note of pear, this offering is a great lower-alcohol substitute for gin or vodka in most cocktails but equally quaffable when splashed with tonic or seltzer.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The calculation refers to nominal total returns, combining coupon income and changes in the bond's market price.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • One day, Parton fashioned a makeshift microphone by putting a tobacco stick into the ground and placing a tin can on top, performing a show of her own.
    — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The trailer contained a makeshift toilet fashioned from an upside-down plastic bucket, a trash bag and a toilet seat, according to prosecutors.
    — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • The cops don’t entirely buy that their serial killer is a high-school student, even as Bret identifies Robert by name.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Loosely based on the 1987 movie Black Widow and created by Elizabeth Meriwether, Furious stars Rossum as Alice Black, an FBI agent who is tracking a serial killer (played by Lola Petticrew).
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of serial

Browse Nearby Words

altering
alternate
alternated
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Cite this Entry

“Alternate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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