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.

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alternates

2 of 2

noun

plural of alternate
as in substitutes

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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 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 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
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
  1. mixes
  2. substitutes
  3. juxtaposes
  4. replacements
  5. combines
  6. subs
  7. incorporates
Verb
  • Brown-Taher works with a variety of colorful materials including opal, mother of pearl, jade and malachite, and mixes them with diamonds, sapphires and amethysts.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
  • But her voice in the actual album mixes is less grating than the singles’ mixes imply, and the lyrics understand what’s cool and also overbearing about her overarching persona.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of mixes
Noun
  • In my West Palm Beach practice, cancer patients who need these skin substitutes instead have open head wounds.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • For 74 minutes, this game was goalless, but part of the joy of World Cups comes from substitutes actually making their mark.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of substitutes
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
Definition of juxtaposes
Noun
  • After hearing from Californians, Hilton noted, CPUC had concluded that AT&T had not shown there were reliable replacements that could serve as a safety net for some communities.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • That might look like fewer knee replacements and bariatric surgeries or higher productivity and better wellness outcomes.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of replacements
Verb
  • When this anger combines with the anonymity afforded by the internet, backlash is almost inevitable, Sarkis previously told USA TODAY.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Its body is made from Grade 5 titanium that combines strength, corrosion resistance, and low weight.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of combines
Noun
  • Belgian boss Rudi Garcia, perhaps looking to make a statement after FIFA’s handling of the Balogun red card incident, unleashed a pair of super subs in the form of Manchester City’s attacking midfielder Jérémy Doku and Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku.
    — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The subs never actually submerged—passengers simply sat below the lagoon’s waterline—but the ride embodied a growing appetite for underwater tourism.
    — Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of subs
Verb
  • Finally, the premier level, which tops out at floor 36 (the highest story allowed on the island) incorporates blue, white, and shades of gray to mirror the sky and clouds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026
  • The show incorporates 7 million LEDs, and about 600 light fixtures, plus 350 fountains, Universal says.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2026
Definition of incorporates

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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