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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
That may well be the way Apple wants it — to alternate Outstanding Comedy Series wins for the next several years. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 It could be summed up succinctly as The Notebook meets Eat Pray Love, but Morrison and Julia Cox’s (Nyad) screenplay give it its own alternating rhythms. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Nieuwsma cited additional city departments such as Evanston’s youth and young adult division, workforce development body, the city’s alternate response CARE team and the victim services program. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 Village officials are warning commuters to seek alternate routes. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
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 Also on the five-man team are Kameron Nelson and pommel horse specialist Patrick Hoopes, with veteran Yul Moldauer the traveling alternate. — Nancy Armour, USA Today, 10 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
  • The vapors that had risen from warm bodies in the pews would have carried syllables mixed with candle-soot, distilled as condensation on the chapel windows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Its primary vehicle to sell ads is its Noovie pre-show which is hosted by former Today correspondent Maria Menounos and features movie trivia, junket-style interviews with celebrities and Hollywood flashback moments mixed in with commercials.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • As the lake dries, the ruins of one of 11 villages that had been inundated by the reservoir have emerged, as alarm grows over the need for alternative water supplies for the city of 42 million.
    — EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers have been looking for alternative approaches that can deliver the power densities of lithium-ion batteries at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining performance characteristics.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • And the conceit doesn’t hold up, since the players all return to the stage as a backup jury, consulted whenever the celebrity judges don’t vote on an act unanimously.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Gardner called the second lawsuit a backup plan after Blue Cross NC realized its first attempt had procedural problems.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • Regardless of the crush of bodies, the vibe at Lowboy is mellow, with seasonal drinks, a delectable menu of bar food, a cute patio—and, of course, a smashburger that is to die for.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Poblano peppers are charred and peeled, then stuffed with picadillo, a mix of ground beef, spices, nuts and seasonal fruits such as pears and apples.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • New cookbook releases and celebrity recipes that use cottage cheese as a ricotta or cream cheese substitute rather than a topping.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In July, the department accused UC San Diego’s medical school of using hardship questions as a substitute for directly considering race.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh said apparent ethnicity could be a relevant factor for a stop if combined with other information.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Greatest brilliancy marks the sweet spot between the two, when Venus' apparent size and shrinking phase combine to give us the greatest apparent area of illuminated Venus in our sky.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • Abdel Gelil is now sheltering with family in the southwestern city of Taiz, while others are sleeping in the streets or erecting makeshift tents out of plastic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Quigley's garage is a makeshift studio, and the piano is her canvas.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • This was the first female serial killer the show featured, and had a different tone than the Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein seasons.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • During the episode, spirits of some of the most infamous American serial killers who previously checked into the hotel return to celebrate their crimes.
    — Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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