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
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
The project alternates between details of everyday life—imbued with a surreal, universal quality—and delicate, melancholic landscapes alongside portraits of figures suspended in time, inhabiting their own oneiric world.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
From there, Denver alternates between home and away for the first week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
The project alternates between details of everyday life—imbued with a surreal, universal quality—and delicate, melancholic landscapes alongside portraits of figures suspended in time, inhabiting their own oneiric world.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
From there, Denver alternates between home and away for the first week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 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
-
The scent of orange blossoms mixes with heady incense.—
Alexis Marshall,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The couple adopted two black lab mixes from Humane Animal Partners in Delaware.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Technological substitutes for firsthand encounters with human beings who are different from us do not exist.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The data on the popularity of meat substitutes aren’t especially forgiving, either.—
Andrew Zaleski,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Pitt cleverly juxtaposes the breakdown of Robby and Dana’s relationship with the building of one between Santos and Whitaker.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The baggy shape juxtaposes the shoes’ sexy sharpness without completely overpowering an outfit.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Decapitation strikes won’t do it—the Guards have a bench of replacements handy for each senior post, and their forces are fighting to protect the system, not any individual.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Between there and the national park’s Douglas Environmental Center in Gary’s Miller neighborhood will be another costly section, with some bridge replacements in store.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Today’s Prius combines the same legendary efficiency with real performance, genuinely appealing design and everyday practicality.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
This approach combines the superior surface properties of tungsten with the structural and economic advantages of other materials.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Say goodbye to soggy subs thanks to the Sub Sandwich Container, which protects your sandwich on the go.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Paired alongside the subs at Fenway on Thursday was a Guinness beef stew.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The building design incorporates elements from surrounding structures for water conservation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler, which famously incorporates a variety of incompatible genres.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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