alternated

past tense of alternate
as in mixed
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

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 alternated My relaxation space was a wooden bed that alternated between wide slats and screens. Christine Sarkis, USA Today, 13 June 2026 Former head coach Roberto De Zerbi alternated between Verbruggen and Steele when Brighton reached the last 16 of the Europa League in 2023-24. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 12 June 2026 At midnight toasts were made with Blanc de Blanc champagne, and then the evening continued with a DJ set entrusted to leading names on the international scene, including Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Peggy Gou, who alternated until late into the night. Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 June 2026 But at the State meet, officials alternated between sticking to the normal race schedule and running the 2 mile early in the meet and the mile later as had been the case in 1974 at the State meet in Bakersfield. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026 In 2025, Simmons alternated that technique with others, such as the circle punch. Pj Green may 23, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026 In a podcast taping with Kimmel, Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver last week, Colbert alternated between sentimental and sarcastic about the end of his show. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 The competition between Morton and Staubach came to a head in 1971 after both started games and even alternated snaps at one point. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026 The program alternated between stand-up sets — from comics including John Mulaney, Bill Burr, Leanne Morgan, Ron Funches, Nikki Glaser, Matt Rife and Ali Wong — and bidding on some very exclusive items, all in the name of supporting people with autism and their families. Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternated
Verb
  • Some blooms can be consumed or mixed into elixirs, bringing aesthetic charm, subtle flavor, and wellness benefits to your dishes and routine.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
  • For this reason, expert opinions are mixed on whether or not gold is an essential part of any portfolio.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • As of 2026, Vacaville spends 67% of its general fund on the Police and Fire Departments combined.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • This scale dwarfs European and North American national markets combined, creating an enormous economy of scale for manufacturers of black paints.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Her strappy, utilitarian sandals juxtaposed with her crisp white dress is the perfect, cool-girl combination in my eyes.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • Rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds are juxtaposed against bands of malachite and turquoise.
    Richard Mille Contributor, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • In a previous life, the wooden crate had been used by artist Robert Rauschenberg, widely regarded as the father of assemblage art in the United States, to house and transport his paintings before Basquiat incorporated it into his own work.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
  • According to the complaint, New Day Horizons was incorporated months before the transfer and existed primarily to receive title to the property.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • On his Instagram, happy photos of his family living the American dream are interspersed with violent admonitions about the forces lurking in his own community and seeking to destroy him.
    Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
  • Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alternated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternated. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on alternated

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster