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.
Related Words
Relevance
1
as in alternative
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in backup
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in seasonal
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in substitute
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alternate
The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Continue alternating additions of 1/4 cup oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until all oil and lemon juice are added.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
The outlying individual submitted an alternate design.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Theodore Tollefson, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
If a potential winner fails to respond to notification, fails to return required documents on time, is found to be ineligible, or otherwise fails to comply with these Official Rules, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate, in Sponsor’s discretion.
—AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternate
Verb
Public tours run from March to December and alternate among Prospect Park, Central Park, and other locations.
—The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Continue alternating additions of 1/4 cup oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice until all oil and lemon juice are added.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Castro, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez agreed to delay a vote on the matter to give themselves more time to speak with golfers and look for alternate solutions.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
The outlying individual submitted an alternate design.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Seven minutes into the game, Frost alternate captain Lee Stecklein got a pass right in front of the blue line on New York’s side that put the Frost up 1-0 on her second goal of the season.
—Theodore Tollefson, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
If a potential winner fails to respond to notification, fails to return required documents on time, is found to be ineligible, or otherwise fails to comply with these Official Rules, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate, in Sponsor’s discretion.
—AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternate
Verb
-
Remove pan from heat and mix 1 tsp.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Consumer response has been mixed, but Apple continues to sell boatloads of iPhones, and users are getting plenty of AI options on those devices —just from other companies.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flora Chang, an analyst at financial services firm S&P Global Ratings told CNN the government’s proactive intervention has had some initial effect in curbing unhealthy competition, but platforms could find alternative ways to compete, including deploying subsidies in other forms.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities have also moved quickly to reinforce alternative supply routes through Red Sea ports, helping maintain the flow of goods into the kingdom and across parts of the Gulf.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gone somewhat unnoticed in Monday’s draft drama was the selection of Jackson, a three-year starter at Duke who can fill a need at backup point guard.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Stash a backup pair in your bag While the shoes-off policy has been largely phased out at most airports, there’s still the possibility that you’ll be asked to take your shoes off.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In fall, introduce seasonal colors with annuals like violas and celosia and perennials like dahlias and dianthus while following this fall-planting guide.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
After picking flowers, be sure to check out some of the farm's other attractions, including a playground, a giant bounce pillow, farm animals, hayrides and a seasonal beer garden.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Anouk Denton The versatile 22-year-old defender came on as a late substitute in England’s 2-0 win over Ghana in December, shortly before moving from West Ham United to Bay FC.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So, in Swalwell’s case, the Democratic Party alone wouldn’t be entitled to select his substitute — unless the law were changed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just as the story mines humor from the collision of old-fashioned ways with a modern frankness, Paul’s score combines the appeal of jaunty golden-age sounds with a freshness that feels present day.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This week in Atlanta, work remotely during a DJ set at a cafe, experiment with caviar and street food or get tickets to a supper club combining Korean and Indian flavors.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The songs, by Randy Newman, are simple but charming little ditties, particularly the ensemble numbers where this makeshift band of misfits express their devotion to one another.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The dome became a makeshift stage in the middle of the field.—
Niyaz Pirani,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But when a series of murders occurs, the women suspect another serial killer.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Brian Cox is set to star as Don Framt, also known as the notorious serial killer the New York Ripper, while Dan Stevens will play The Five Boroughs Killer.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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