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
The ability to alternate between sitting and standing can add flexibility throughout the workday. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026 And Widow’s Bay was, of course, very successful at alternating between scary and funny bits. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Drivers are asked to use alternate routes and plan for extra travel time during the training. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026 That includes a simulcast on ABC, of course, alternate broadcasts like the Manningcast, and, Disney announced Wednesday, streaming simulcast available on Disney+ in both English and Spanish. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Last year, Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was, statistically, one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks over his seven starts, yet still made the Pro Bowl as the sixth alternate after several opt-outs. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Cameoing in the film as an alternate to Captain America, Carter — an MCU fixture since 2011 — was apparently killed off by Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) with her own shield. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Aug. 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
  • Critics were mixed on the film, which follows a Facebook engineer (Mikey Madison) who leaks thousands of internal documents to a reporter (Jeremy Allen White) to blow the whistle on the company’s dark practices.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For now, the reception to the finding has been mixed, largely because of Tsiokos’s significant use of generative AI in the proof.
    — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • Customers who had been due to fly on Saturday were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights, according to the airline.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • According to the store, Clarkson left before seeing the alternative item.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Agencies that provided backup service in the city while Ann Arbor Fire Department was on this call included Saline Area Fire Authority, Superior Township Fire Department and Dexter Area Fire Department.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Jaguars had trouble with a backup long snapper but the field goals were chip shots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • The onsite restaurant is one of Edinburgh's best, offering seasonal Scottish ingredients reinterpreted with French panache.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Capitol Corner Bar plans to offer rotating seasonal cocktails, too.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola dropped Virgil van Dijk to the substitutes’ bench with French defender Jérémy Jacquet starting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But there’s no substitute, at the end of the day, for the human biologist.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • After combining to win just 60 games over the past three seasons, good health could see the team residing in the nation’s capital crack 40 wins for the first time since 2018.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The new system takes the concept in a different direction by combining hydrogen production with chemical synthesis.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • The claims were made by four inmates who apparently inhabit the same unit as the Grammy-winner, including one who cooked for Combs on makeshift heating elements, offering up dishes like curry chicken, pizza and empanadas.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Not far away, armed men had been occupying makeshift barricades, blocking roads and turning some drivers away.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • Concerns over a possible serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, have the Big Ten college town on edge.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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