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.
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 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
-
Choosing a water-soluble or micronized powder that mixes easily in your sprayer will help ensure the nitrogen is quickly absorbed by the grass and won’t wash away.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
-
As the evening progresses, the ski-chic crowd mixes with Yellowstone and Spanish Peaks Club members decked out in stylish cowboy hats and boots and Filson sweaters.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dortmund top scorer Serhou Guirassy and defender Ramy Bensebaini started as substitutes with coach Niko Kovač explaining that Ramadan fasting was impacting the Muslim players’ fitness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In a study published in the scientific journal Neurology in fall 2025, researchers found that consuming higher amounts of several common sugar substitutes was linked to accelerated cognitive decline in Brazilian adults.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The high intensity, according to Negomir, juxtaposes the sombre mood before the start.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of Yo’s dramatic life stories.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, if there’s a problem that requires someone (whether human or robot) to travel to the site to conduct repairs or component replacements, that cannot be fixed in space.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
-
So precarious is the species’ survival that the eggs were exchanged for fake replacements while the real ones were incubated indoors.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Built with a durable aluminum alloy exoskeleton, the robot combines strength with lightweight construction for improved agility and resilience.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The program combines research, advocacy and direct outreach, aiming to better understand cancer patterns among firefighters and turn those findings into practical safety changes.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Starz recorded no Canadian linear TV subs in the latest quarter.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The subs came in with the Cowboys leading 11-10, and led to a five-minute Bronco scoring drought that put the home team 16-10 down before Buchanan re-entered and broke the drought with a layup.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The vehicle incorporates a sophisticated sensor suite capable of detecting and tracking targets both above and below the sea surface.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
-
If the formula incorporates ceramides, all the better.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
