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
-
Marketers developed new products and marketing mixes to satisfy the needs of specific market segments.—
Ezgi Eyüboğlu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
-
Are seed mixes a good option for feeding a wider variety of birds?—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Ismaila Sarr said a prayer as the Palace substitutes and coaching staff rushed on to the pitch, a delighted mob.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Hart and Alvarez caution that devices should not become substitutes for engagement, emotional regulation or caregiving.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 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
-
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
-
Signature drinks include a miso old fashioned, an oolong Manhattan and the kaffir lime soda, which combines Suntory Roku gin with kaffir lime, lychee, lemon, saffron and soda.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2026
-
That means a single booking for European train travel that seamlessly combines services from multiple rail operators across all 27 EU member states, with full passenger rights protection from start to finish.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Autonomous task forces of drones could be assigned to defend against specific threats — Russian subs sneaking into the Atlantic Ocean, say, or a possible amphibious landing on Taiwan.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
No vet days, no breather subs late in a game.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The production also incorporates brand new songs alongside material from Sting’s catalog.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
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 5 Jun. 2026.
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