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
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
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
Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
-
Celebrity nail artist Kim Truong mixes a light pink chrome polish from Toy’s x Inity and polishes from PLA’s Fashionably Light collection to get that ethereal vibe going.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Quicksand forms when water mixes with fine sand or clay.—
Outside,
Outside,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The substitutes offered do not qualify as public amenities under any reasonable reading of the city’s own standards.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The high intensity, according to Negomir, juxtaposes the sombre mood before the start.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of Yo’s dramatic life stories.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their replacements should come via the draft, or Mafe and Ebiktie in Chaisson's case.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In a philosophical shift away from high school recruits and toward the portal, the Longhorns signed transfers in Memphis kicker Gianni Spetic, Florida State punter Mac Chiumento and New Mexico long snapper Trey DuBuc as the replacements.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This delicious treat combines Chick-fil-A Lemonade (or Diet Lemonade) and the signature Icedream dessert mixed with strawberry and hibiscus flavors.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Much like Catastrophe, Derry Girls combines irreverent farce with weightier issues that sometimes take you by surprise but never betray the series’ light-hearted metier.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dinner subs a five-ounce steak for the eggs.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Subway's National Meatball Day special Customers who request an upgrade to their meatball subs will receive it for free on National Meatball Day.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The mark incorporates the franchise’s signature tri-star — a nod to the Tennessee state flag — alongside the team’s traditional blue, white and red colors.—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
These professionals provide care that incorporates lifestyle support, in addition to conventional medicine.—
Helena Kudiabor,
SELF,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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