alternates 1 of 2

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

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 onset of more organ soloing by Emmett over twin guitars is just the barrage needed to slam home the paranoia and loneliness in a song that alternates self-effacement with self-defensive allegations of gaslighting and abandonment. Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 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 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
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
  • Grammy voters have demonstrated quite a bit of enthusiasm for both women in recent years, which could help the duet stand out in a field that often mixes blockbuster collaborations with less obvious critical favorites.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Cold front mixes with tropical moisture A cold front is pushing toward the East Coast from the Midwest, stretching from just south of Arkansas all the way to New York, according to the National Weather Service.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Spain’s technical staff and substitutes rushed off the bench to protest.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • This includes the substitutes and even those who haven’t played a single minute, who celebrated every goal with the same enthusiasm as the starters.
    Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 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
  • The technology is designed to work with existing substations and facilities, potentially reducing the need for lengthy shutdowns or large-scale infrastructure replacements.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
  • Even before the oyster fisherman with the Totenkopf chest ink officially stepped out of the race, Dempsey’s name was being floated by an unidentified Democratic group polling Maine voters about possible replacements.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Dolby Cinema combines Dolby Vision projection with Dolby Atmos sound.
    David Deal, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Its five-year-old flagship combines a multibrand retail space with a coffee shop and hosts regular events spanning music, art and fashion.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • If a team has one or zero subs left, a red-card offence would result in them playing down a man.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The three-course dinner, $39, subs in a Fritto Misto appetizer and a Mary’s Chicken entree selection.
    Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • The aircraft features a clean-sheet design and incorporates a series hybrid-electric powertrain alongside dual tiltrotors, enabling greater range, endurance and operational efficiency than conventional electric VTOL platforms.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
  • In addition to Paramount itself, some observers have criticized the states’ antitrust lawsuit for not taking a holistic view of the entertainment market that incorporates streaming.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 July 2026

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“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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