Synonyms of alternates

alternates 1 of 2

verb

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.

Related Words

• mixes
• juxtaposes
• combines
• incorporates
• blends
• weaves
• inserts
• threads
• salts
• intersperses
• embodies
• interweaves
• merges
• interlaces
• intermingles
• mingles
• integrates
• laces
• fuses
• wreathes
• assimilates
• amalgamates
• commingles

alternates

2 of 2

noun

plural of alternate

as in substitutes

Related Words

• substitutes
• replacements
• subs
• reserves
• backups
• delegates
• fill-ins
• understudies
• stand-ins
• apologies
• reliefs
• reps
• factors
• pinch hitters
• representatives
• makeshifts
• surrogates
• designated hitters
• proxies
• assistants
• attorneys
• covers
• assignees
• deputies
• commissaries
• locum tenentes
• stopgaps
• envoys
• agents
• procurators
• seconds
• relievers
• successors
• superseders

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of alternates

Verb

The underlying practice, sometimes called contrast bath therapy or immersion therapy, alternates the body’s exposure to hot and cold water and has long been used by physical therapists, athletes and wellness enthusiasts, according to WHOOP. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Contrast therapy alternates hot and cold exposure, driving vasodilation and vasoconstriction in what WHOOP calls a vascular pumping effect that increases blood flow and tissue oxygen delivery. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Under the current agreement, Maceo splits his time between both parents during the week and alternates weekends with exceptions for certain holidays. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Gathering 5,700 members from more than 50 countries across Europe, the European Film Academy oversees the annual European Film Awards, which alternates taking place in its home city of Berlin and another European city, which is Athens this year. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

The sins of the father are ultimately presented in a literal, stomach-churning slideshow that haphazardly alternates benign family snaps with gleeful photographic evidence of Johan’s war crimes. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

As the train emerges from the tunnel, pitch darkness alternates with sudden bursts of sunlight through openings in the bedrock. — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026

The drink-swap strategy, which alternates alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, is being fueled by declining alcohol consumption in younger generations. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026

To achieve this, the locus coeruleus continuously alternates between tonic activity—governing baseline arousal and alertness—and brief phasic bursts that focus attention on critical events. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

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