as in alternate
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
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 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
Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Because the bioactive nanocomposites are magnetic, oncologists can employ magnetic hyperthermia – that is, the application of an alternating magnetic field to heat the particles inside cancer cells and destroy them.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Adjective
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
Verb
The story of Quichotte’s quest is being written, in alternating chapters, by Sam DuChamp, a mid-list spy novelist making his first foray into literary fiction.
—Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Because the bioactive nanocomposites are magnetic, oncologists can employ magnetic hyperthermia – that is, the application of an alternating magnetic field to heat the particles inside cancer cells and destroy them.
—New Atlas, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
Adjective
-
After nine holes of alternate-shot, the players compete individually in Singles for six more holes.—
Keith Stewart,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
For a harder version, try shoulder taps, which involve tapping alternate shoulders in the plank position without twisting.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the sound level, our engineer is a guy who makes all the greatest dance music in the Latin world right now [Josh Gudwin is the records’ mixing engineer and Dale Becker mastering engineer].—
Leonor C. Suárez,
Rolling Stone,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Naumes uses a similar approach, mixing fresh lemon juice with water.—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers, and accounts for absenteeism resulting from sick leave, parental leave, vacation time, statutory holidays, illness, injury, and even bad weather and labour disputes.—
Joe O’Connor,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Boston Narrow Suede Clog Birkenstock’s signature suede takes on a seasonal twist with corduroy in the Boston Narrow Suede Clog, currently marked down to $106.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By combining speed, precision, and material versatility, ORNL’s system positions extrusion printing for broader industrial adoption.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Darcy Kuemper played nearly a period before sustaining an injury and giving way to Anton Forsberg, combining for 33 saves.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Developing his style alongside Garcia’s flocking melodicism and Lesh’s never-the-same-way-once bass counterpoints, Weir soon had to also contend for rhythmic space between the band’s two drummers, as well.—
Jesse Jarnow,
Pitchfork,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Though Robby Hoddinott was responsible for the track’s prickly guitar lead, the backing of bassist-pal Dave Torbert from New Riders of the Purple Sage elevates Weir and the song’s rhythmic bottom to something uplifting and downright prancy.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each of Cicellis’s retellings transforms its myth into a short story set in mid-20th-century Greece, juxtaposing an ancient sense of fate against the messy uncertainty of modernity.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Portman gives an Oscar-winning performance, juxtaposing Nina's innocent exterior with her ambitious attempts to channel her internal darkness to play the Black Swan in Swan Lake.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
As data center revenue starts to dominate sales, hyperscale ASIC initiatives transition into sustained volume, and customer diversification diminishes earnings variability, Marvell begins to resemble less of a cyclical component supplier and more of a structural AI infrastructure platform.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Based on his 2020 short film, Meeks draws from his personal ties to Ohio to upbraid our preconceptions about the cyclical nature of addiction and recovery.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Barra says the focus now is on making cars more affordable, incorporating artificial intelligence and new technology like Google Gemini to make the vehicles safer and appealing to the consumer.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Consider incorporating a variety of vitamin C-rich foods into your diet and check with a healthcare provider before adding a vitamin C supplement to your routine.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
