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 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

Kate Middleton is rumored to wear the brand’s Orange Blossom Cologne, while Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reportedly alternates between the scents Wood Sage and Sea Salt and Wild Bluebell. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Aug. 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

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

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