as in mixes
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 alternates
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
The scene alternates between him on a platform with dancers wearing Xuân Phả folk masks, set against the beautiful landscape of Trang An in Ninh Binh Province.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
And in our car, whoever is in the front seat gets to play the music, and that alternates day-to-day.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
Another mistake is planting hostas in heavy, clay soil that alternates between soggy and rock hard.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
According to the researchers, the technology alternates silver ions and trithioisocyanuric acid (TCA) layers on an electrode substrate.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
As much as the action, which is tightly cut and usually alternates confidently between characters frantically on-the-move and other characters huddled in claustrophobic spaces, the storylines are held together by the performances.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
The scene alternates between him on a platform with dancers wearing Xuân Phả folk masks, set against the beautiful landscape of Trang An in Ninh Binh Province.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
And in our car, whoever is in the front seat gets to play the music, and that alternates day-to-day.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
Another mistake is planting hostas in heavy, clay soil that alternates between soggy and rock hard.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
According to the researchers, the technology alternates silver ions and trithioisocyanuric acid (TCA) layers on an electrode substrate.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
As much as the action, which is tightly cut and usually alternates confidently between characters frantically on-the-move and other characters huddled in claustrophobic spaces, the storylines are held together by the performances.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Honorees who advanced to the Super Bowl were replaced by alternates (Trubisky was Jared Goff’s alternate in 2018-19) and the exhibition no longer was held in Aloha Stadium each year.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternates
Verb
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The film marked the first time that RZA from Wu-Tang Clan scored a film, and the music mixes crime-jazz allure, spaghetti Western drama and hip-hop beats for a truly unique sound.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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With Clive Owen in the antagonist role of Dalton Russell, the film locks into a clever heist that mixes elements of Heat, Ocean's 11 (2001), and more into something that's distinctly a Lee joint.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
As consumers looked for other low-cost substitutes, prices rose for other types of slicing tomatoes and cherry tomatoes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
-
As a new ceremonial feature, all 26 players from each team — starters and substitutes — will participate in the ceremony by lining up around the tournament’s central emblem on the field, rather than in the traditional pregame formation.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Much like the film, the choreography juxtaposes joy with despair in an ever-changing environment.—
Steven Vargas,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In the album’s most stunning moment, Petras juxtaposes her own disappointment at the building’s destruction against her father’s shuttered expectations that his child might grow up to be his son.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
There are many plants with great seasonal interest as potential replacements.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Four of the replacements – Madrigal, Meckler, Donovan Walton and José Siri – were not even on the 40-man roster two weeks ago.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The cocktail combines smoky mezcal, bright citrus, tropical mango liqueur, and a sparkling finish from prosecco, creating a balance of bold flavors and bright energy.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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One of my current favorites is the Cerave Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Face Sheer Tint, which combines SPF 30 with a lightweight, glowy tint.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The company reported a loss of 51,000 residential video customers in the first quarter, which counts as a massive upgrade from the 167,000 subs that bolted in the year-ago period.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
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As well as going out on Netflix, episodes are still on YouTube where the dedicated Masha channel has 55M subs.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The Cure and New Wave are huge sonic inspirations throughout the new album as Rodrigo incorporates Eighties synths and instrumentation.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
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This article incorporates details from an article originally published April 18, 2023.—
Dillon Amaya,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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