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
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
The Tall Ships Challenge, hosted by Tall Ships America, alternates its annual tours between the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The Tall Ships Challenge, hosted by Tall Ships America, alternates its annual tours between the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternates
Verb
-
The series mixes the fun and chaos of family life with the excitement and adventure of the typical superhero show.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Last week, Flory released the barn-dance project Man of Visions, a 10-track album that mixes bluegrass with folk, Appalachia with Texas.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Both coffee and tea can also serve as healthier substitutes for other drinks too.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Much like Anderson does, Aster also juxtaposes the ineptitude of his white protagonist with an adept person of color.—
Robert Daniels,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The clip juxtaposes plenty of action and comedy as Gibbs, Franks, and company bust heads out in the field and back in the office.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But the replacements are still made of complex materials that include additives like colorants; the chemicals can react in ways the companies may not intend or understand, Boucher says.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Nittany Lions considered possible replacements from the Big Ten early in the search.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Poppy seed dressing, popularized in the 1950s, combines sugar, vinegar, mustard, onion and oil with poppy seeds.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
His keen playful writing combines magical realism, genre-busting humor, literary zip—and there are few people better suited to adapting Wilder than Ethan Lipton.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Begin hasn’t revealed its subs number.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The shop brings the soul of Long Island’s incredible deli culture upstate, with a menu packed with hot Italian heroes, cold subs, and bagel breakfast sandwiches.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tanming Double-Breasted Peacoat Combine Swift’s and Hadid’s black coat looks into one with this in-between style, which incorporates elements of both of their ’fits.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
She’s not ruled by her primordial urges, but incorporates them into a larger personal quest for knowledge and enlightenment.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share