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
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
The Tall Ships Challenge, hosted by Tall Ships America, alternates its annual tours between the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The Tall Ships Challenge, hosted by Tall Ships America, alternates its annual tours between the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternates
Verb
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The system features a robotic arm that mixes a wide range of cocktails with precision.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Producer Francesco Piro mixes the album with an ear for the alien and otherworldly so that none of the sounds feel like they were played by a few guys in a room.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the 34-year-old German helped Brighton manage the last 20 minutes of a routine 2-0 victory over second-from-bottom Burnley with efficiency, alongside fellow substitutes Danny Welbeck and James Milner, as Fabian Hurzeler’s side ended a run of six matches without a win with the minimum of fuss.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Training must emphasize that risk scores and recommendations are tools for professional judgment, not substitutes for it.—
Maureen Flatley,
Boston Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The dramatic ad juxtaposes news reports of spiking costs of living, anguished-looking residents in their homes and footage of Lamont laughing, eating pizza and declaring New Haven’s pizza supremacy.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Advertisement Much like Anderson does, Aster also juxtaposes the ineptitude of his white protagonist with an adept person of color.—
Robert Daniels,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But this session will be Polis’ last, and union groups — who have shelved plans to launch a pro-worker ballot campaign — are now starting to eye the governor’s would-be replacements.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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Kennedy also fired all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel and handpicked their replacements, and has been criticized.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Poppy seed dressing, popularized in the 1950s, combines sugar, vinegar, mustard, onion and oil with poppy seeds.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
His keen playful writing combines magical realism, genre-busting humor, literary zip—and there are few people better suited to adapting Wilder than Ethan Lipton.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Wings, salads and subs are available, too.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
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After purchasing three footlong subs or six 6-inch subs, customers will get a free 12-inch sandwich.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tanming Double-Breasted Peacoat Combine Swift’s and Hadid’s black coat looks into one with this in-between style, which incorporates elements of both of their ’fits.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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She’s not ruled by her primordial urges, but incorporates them into a larger personal quest for knowledge and enlightenment.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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