as in mixing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alternating
Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2020
In Montgomery, churches could have alternating rows of pews roped off and pillows placed in the others, asking only family members to sit together.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2020
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Bold leather pieces and delicate lace and transparency are alternating on the runways, respecting women’s [various] facets.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Verb
District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said early childhood students in full-day preschool will begin returning to their schools on an alternating-day basis beginning Thursday.
—Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2020
In Montgomery, churches could have alternating rows of pews roped off and pillows placed in the others, asking only family members to sit together.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 19 Apr. 2020
Adjective
After alternating between two worlds for most of the season and eventually deciding to live in the alternate universe, Smith has now found himself behind bars.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Bold leather pieces and delicate lace and transparency are alternating on the runways, respecting women’s [various] facets.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
Verb
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The color palette felt optimistic yet grounded, mixing natural hues with luminous accents.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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The talk show featured O’Brien and sidekick Andy Richter mixing comedy sketches with interviews spanning entertainment, sports, politics and culture.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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About a dozen seats are expected to be filled by alternate members at this plenum.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
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Tesseract, following a woman named Laila who embarks on a search through alternate realities for her missing child, boasts six episodes.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By combining maneuverability, reusability and speed, Arc could reshape both emergency response and battlefield supply chains.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Baltimore lost both games with backup QB Cooper Rush under center, combining for just 13 total points in losses to the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Index-level measures, such as the S&P 500’s earnings revisions breadth, have retreated from earlier highs but remain in line with typical seasonal patterns.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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Embrace the rich hues of brown, black, copper, and umber for unique seasonal charm.—
Benjamin Vogt,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Such surprises not only refer to the product assortment but also the design pieces Van Noten has selected for the space and that stand out in the cozy, sophisticated environment juxtaposing materials such as polished white marble, travertine and brushed brass elements.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
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In May, a sprawling bamboo scaffold was built in the courtyard of Venice’s Campo della Tana, as part of a showcase exploring the diverse and often juxtaposing aspects of public space in Hong Kong, with a focus on threatened heritage.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This sequence continues with both of them lifting their heels and performing a rhythmic stretch meant to highlight the flexibility of their joint movement.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
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Spectacular color, mystical chants and rhythmic dances fill the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee’s annual powwow each year for three days in October.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are a great option for snacking or incorporating them into yogurt, oatmeal, and salads.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
20 Oct. 2025
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The drinks list includes a few Brazilian wines and some cocktails incorporating local ingredients like caju, the fruit of the cashew tree.—
Hannah Walhout,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the business is cyclical, booming during summers and holidays, but dropping off sharply during the school year.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 Harvest Moon happened to fall in October and occurred just as the moon was reaching its lowest point in its cyclical 27-day orbit of Earth, giving rise to a spectacular supermoon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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