as in alternate
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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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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
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
The first ring, which Rainier proposed with, was an eternity band, alternating heirloom red rubies and diamonds from Rainier’s family.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 17 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 pilot isn’t quite sure what makes Arthur funny, alternating between jokes about his artistic pretensions and his extreme whiteness.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
The first ring, which Rainier proposed with, was an eternity band, alternating heirloom red rubies and diamonds from Rainier’s family.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
Adjective
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Tyler Huntley made it as an alternate three years ago after throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions in four starts with the Baltimore Ravens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some departments reduced their footprint in Sacramento after the COVID-19 pandemic forced many to work from home and, in the interim years, employees have adapted to sharing workstations with coworkers who are in offices on alternate days.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With the motor running, add 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces, a piece at a time, mixing after each addition until almost completely incorporated before adding more, 10–14 minutes total.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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In the Chicago area, the traffic is often dense, mixing trucks and cars traveling at different speeds, with merging traffic and lanes that become turn-only.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This year, Milo’s will enter a new drink category while expanding its flavors to 11, launching more seasonal options and growing its zero-sugar line.—
Chloe Sorvino,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Guests who have residence rentals can savor casual meals at Trough, ideal for breakfast and lunch, or indulge in fine dining at Pomp, where dishes highlight local, seasonal ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There’s an urge to reconnect with our heritage, and people are undertaking ancestry pilgrimages, combining boots-on-the-ground investigation into family trees and searching for documents in town halls, with discovering the places our ancestors used to call home.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Until now, combining such materials with complex 3D microstructures remained out of reach.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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According to the announcement, over 14 weeks, students will explore the harmonic language, melodic design, rhythmic vocabulary, lyrical construction, production principles, and signature devices that define Max Martin’s chart-topping catalog.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2026
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That includes a complete suite of Art of Cryo technology, from infrared and cryotherapy machines to a Flow System, a touchless technology that uses rhythmic positive and negative air pressure to stimulate circulation and accelerate recovery.—
Jackie Caradonio,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ability to transcend darkness and light is similar to Libra’s juxtaposing scales, which are needed for balance.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Memory has consistently been among the most cyclical industries within semiconductors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Summary Delta Air Lines no long carries the same risks as a cyclical airline, yet the stock continues to be valued as one.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moving back from that sliding flex block, the remainder of the kitchen area and sidewall console is simple and straightforward, incorporating a worktop/side shelf just inside the window and additional storage below.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
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This record demonstrates both performance and advanced safety technology that Changan is incorporating into its SUVs.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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