alternates 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of alternate
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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alternates

2 of 2

noun

plural of alternate

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
Verb
The onset of more organ soloing by Emmett over twin guitars is just the barrage needed to slam home the paranoia and loneliness in a song that alternates self-effacement with self-defensive allegations of gaslighting and abandonment. Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 2026 The Panthers have more than enough leadership to go around in their dressing room beyond captain Aleksander Barkov and alternates Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026 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
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
  • Anyone who mixes politics, discipline, money and power without transparency cannot lead anything.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The slate mixes feature debuts from emerging filmmakers with new projects from directors already recognized on the festival circuit.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Dividends and buybacks may be appropriate, but the exchange has made clear that companies should not treat one-time distributions as substitutes for sustained operational improvement.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • In 2021, the Premier League introduced concussion substitutes, allowing teams to replace a concussed player during a match, and that not counting towards the substitution limit.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • The intro sequence juxtaposes Paula’s frenzied prep for the party with her prep for a potential attack from anyone associated with Trevor’s murder.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 June 2026
  • Much like the film, the choreography juxtaposes joy with despair in an ever-changing environment.
    Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Months of haggling for replacements brought more frustration until July.
    Larry Seward, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Their replacements had concerns over the use of surveillance cameras and opposed laws that barred repeat public drug users from certain areas in the city.
    Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The launch marks Elon Musk’s biggest move yet toward turning X into an all-in-one platform that combines social networking, payments and everyday banking.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
  • Major global and local activist investors are increasingly engaged, advocating for a new approach that combines McKinsey-style strategic consulting with Blackstone-like operational discipline.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • More specifically, those who pre-order or have active Game Pass Ultimate subs can access the test early, from August 6 to 10.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Day 2 Observations With Riley and Rachel both doing just part-time duty, the Brooklyn subs were put into action.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • The study incorporates data from 2021 through 2024, and mostly concerns 2023 model-year vehicles.
    Adam Ismail, The Drive, 30 July 2026
  • Spa director Emma Spencer keeps her finger on the pulse of new treatments and incorporates them with botanicals and rituals used by the indigenous Kumeyaay people across the spa menu.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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