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
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
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
Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
-
Tarr mixes professional and amateur performers, yet demands the same unrehearsed naturalism from each.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 June 2026
-
Every piece mixes and matches with the rest, so a handful of items turns into a long list of outfits.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
His Five Forces framework—competitive rivalry, new entrants, substitutes, buyer power and supplier power—became the definitive lens for assessing whether an industry is worth entering.—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
All four goals in this game have come from players who entered as substitutes.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 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
-
And the city of Aurora began actively searching for a whole lot of replacements for the AVAC board.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
Now that the garden is complete aside from normal plant replacements, Sterman recognizes it as the expression of her own evolution and growth as a garden designer as well as changing views on waterwise gardening.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The 6,845-yard (and always highly rated on a national level) Links/Quarry combination at Bay Harbor Golf Club in Petoskey combines sweeping views of Lake Michigan from the perch above, on the opening six holes.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
According to the company, the interceptor combines multiple guidance methods to ensure effectiveness in contested environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Substitutions brought fresh life to Switzerland's team in the second half, and those subs scored three goals in a matter of minutes — two by Johan Manzambi and one by Rubén Vargas.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
This seemingly futuristic idea drew on his Navy experience with water-splitting electrolyzers, which supplied the oxygen that enabled subs to remain submerged for months at a time, and NASA’s use of hydrogen fuel cells to power the Apollo missions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 June 2026
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The Art Nouveau design incorporates ceiling frescoes, terra-cotta floors, and intricate woodwork.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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