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
-
The big question will be how much of that wind mixes down to the surface.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The Mean Girls mixes vodka, lemon juice, watermelon syrup and cotton candy.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 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
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Radić juxtaposes manmade and natural materials in thoughtful ways, with structures sometimes embedded in rocky terrain or appearing to emerge from the ground.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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The sound design by Andre Pluess juxtaposes nostalgic piano music with violent sound effects, while Jason Lynch’s lighting design often evokes a dreamlike quality.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The replacements – marbles, the honeycomb candy carving game, the ddakji tile-flipping game – were chosen because any viewer anywhere could understand them within seconds.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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Users can get free replacements from Insulet.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mercury combines with Mars in your 6th House of Healthcare, pushing you to streamline tasks, speak up about workloads, and improve routines.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The belt bag combines practicality with a sporty edge, designed to be worn around the waist or slung crossbody for hands-free ease.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As the 2026 tourney gets underway, the networks in the TNT Sports portfolio now reach a little under 60 million homes, and with an annual defection rate that’s been holding steady at 8%, CBS’ cable partners will likely land on the wrong side of 50 million subs by the end of 2027.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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The meal includes two medium subs, two bags of chips and two small drinks for $16, according to the Firehouse Subs website.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The new device incorporates strontium and titanium to create internal p-n junctions that act as smooth electronic gates.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Mar. 2026
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In 2012, Aus founded her own eponymous clothing brand and incorporates upcycled textile waste in her designs.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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