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.
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Recent Examples of alternated
The seats are in place, alternated in pink, black, gray and white with some positioned to depict a heron, the team’s mascot.
—
Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
For about five minutes, the two kept passing each other as the man alternated between running and walking, similar to interval training, but Barker still instinctively took out her mace.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier in his career, the Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa alternated between documentaries and narrative features.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
To use basketball and hockey vernacular, Babcock and co-counsel Chris Bankler and Stars lead counsel Joshua Sandler and co-counsel Carroll alternated verbal hard fouls, trash talk and checking into the boards.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The National Independent Party, formed in 2022, is widely viewed as the front-runner, mounting a strong challenge to the long-dominant Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), which have alternated in power for decades.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Kalo and Vatu alternated with the leadm but Kalo made it to the puzzle first.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Since 2021, the Mets have alternated between losing and winning seasons.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Over a 15-minute Zoom call Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid alternated between expressing confidence in his former-but-now-new offensive coordinator and stumping for his most-recently former offensive coordinator to get a head coaching job elsewhere.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
For about five minutes, the two kept passing each other as the man alternated between running and walking, similar to interval training, but Barker still instinctively took out her mace.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier in his career, the Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa alternated between documentaries and narrative features.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
To use basketball and hockey vernacular, Babcock and co-counsel Chris Bankler and Stars lead counsel Joshua Sandler and co-counsel Carroll alternated verbal hard fouls, trash talk and checking into the boards.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
The National Independent Party, formed in 2022, is widely viewed as the front-runner, mounting a strong challenge to the long-dominant Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), which have alternated in power for decades.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Kalo and Vatu alternated with the leadm but Kalo made it to the puzzle first.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026
Since 2021, the Mets have alternated between losing and winning seasons.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Over a 15-minute Zoom call Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid alternated between expressing confidence in his former-but-now-new offensive coordinator and stumping for his most-recently former offensive coordinator to get a head coaching job elsewhere.
—Sam McDowell 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternated
Verb
-
His relied heavily on his four-seam fastball, but mixed in the rest of his arsenal — the slider (18 times), changeup (10 times), sweeper (nine times), curveball (eight times) and cutter (five times) — to keep opponents off balanced.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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The participants started with a lower dose, which came as a gray powder mixed into hot water.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some flights to London City airport, for example, have now been combined with aircraft heading to the Big Smoke’s Gatwick.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Five pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just hits for Andrew (4-3).—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That distinctive colorway extends to the interior, where a subtle palette, teak flooring, and rich leathers are juxtaposed with gold fixtures and fittings.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
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Old works are juxtaposed next to modern oeuvres culled from other museums and the Guimet’s own collection.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It was incorporated as a town in 1833 and then again as a city in 1837.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another ancient tradition is the extensive prayers of the faithful, interspersed with genuflections, which today include intentions as varied as praying for the pope, for the Jewish people, and for those who do not believe in God.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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From there, the one-minute-and-sixteen-second clip unfolds with a rapid montage of electrifying concert footage, interspersed with candid moments from life on the road.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternated. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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