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
-
In any case, preventing such an outcome has less to do with the size of America’s munitions stockpile than with coming up with a realistic strategy that skillfully mixes diplomacy, economic statecraft, strong alliances, and a capable military focused on defense rather than global interventionism.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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At Caesars, The Hook produced by Spiegelworld mixes circus, comedy, cabaret, and theater into a fun and fast production that feels perfectly suited to AC.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Their semi-final win over Millwall showed resilience and adaptability, particularly with the impact of substitutes.—
Dean Jones,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
Read on to find out the best white pepper substitutes for your recipes.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Create a Modern Rustic Tablescape This Mother's Day tablescape juxtaposes casual textures with delicate elements for modern rustic effect.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Apr. 2026
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Elsewhere, Solimene juxtaposes an original Sirena made of ceramic, sourced from its archive in Vietri sul Mare, Salerno, with a contemporary version created for the exhibition.—
Marianna Cerini,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These schools may very well be training their own replacements.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
The frequent replacements mean a more frequent launching and a more frequent deorbiting compared to old-school missions designed with longer missions in mind.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Dongsheng noted the company’s ability to rapidly integrate intelligent driving technologies is supported by its Xuanji Architecture, a vehicle platform that combines electronic systems with core electrification technologies.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
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The falcon combines aerodynamic engineering, specialized respiratory adaptations, visual stabilization, skeletal resilience, and astonishing neuromuscular precision into a hunting system refined for life in three dimensions.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Before heading home, stop at White House Subs, a local institution of oversized Italian subs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2026
-
Sans Yeboah, who has posted eight goals in 1,193 minutes, the Loons’ first called on reserve forward Momo Dieng to start and then brought on subs Mauricio Gonzalez and Marcus Caldeira, who made his MLS debut.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The spa menu includes detoxing rituals and massages, including a signature treatment that incorporates nectar from Amazonian fruits and other Colombian botanicals.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
21 May 2026
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That pricing makes the bundle feel like an excellent deal that would also look superior to paying $13/month for a version of Disney+ that incorporates Hulu’s entire library.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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