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
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
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
Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
-
For graphic interest that still reads neutral, Quiet Town's Tam mixes clay, chocolate, and cream tones.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2026
-
Set in a quiet residential neighborhood, this intimate beachfront property (whose name mixes the owners’ first initials with the Dutch word for oasis) uses dense, vibrant landscaping and shutters and stone walls between guest rooms to create a cocooning feeling of privacy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
This is the way authoritarianism substitutes for democracy – slowly and incrementally, until the whole system suddenly tips over.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
-
Engineers had to come up with their own substitutes for some of the basic tools that other developers use to store code, launch websites, and set up servers.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 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
-
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
-
Trump will have the power to fire members at his discretion, and Blanche could appoint replacements.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
With each development milestone, MBDA moves closer to delivering a next-generation air-to-air weapon that combines advanced sensors, extended range, and superior flexibility.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
After Rieder wins the second ball and combines with Ndoye, Widmer dashes forward and attacks the space between Kosovo’s full-back and left-winger.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Admirers vehemently debate the most insightful — and most problematic — biographies and documentaries about the Blonde Bombshell’s eventful life on Reddit subs, Facebook groups and in other fan communities.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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Brazil subs provide food for thought Even Brazilian television commentators were speechless when the home side ran out after half-time.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The production also incorporates brand new songs alongside material from Sting’s catalog.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2026
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Capable of resisting earthquakes of magnitude 7 or above – a crucial feature given Taiwan's location on active tectonic plates – the Danjiang Bridge incorporates a complex seismic support system that manages forces that act on it in vertical and horizontal directions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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