as in alternately
in place of another option
We could go out for dinner or, alternatively, we could get takeout.
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Recent Examples of alternatively
The living room is nearby and can be outfitted with a large sofa, or a daybed – or alternatively serve as a secondary bedroom with a double bed or bunks, depending on requirements.
—
New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Combs' lawyers had previously filed a motion asking Subramanian to either overturn his criminal conviction on the transportation to engage in prostitution charges, or alternatively, grant him a new trial.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office last week charged Fatherley with second-degree murder, or, alternatively, involuntary manslaughter, for his role in Adair’s death.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Are alternatively escapist or educational, depending on the club’s goals.
—Linda-Marie Barrett
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
The situation changes as firms transition from traditional management to the value creating mode, or alternatively, regress backwards.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Their alternatively affable and tense banter in front of the camera depict a fraught father-son relationship in miniature, but also how self-aware and intelligent Adrian could be even in his lowest moments.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Macron could alternatively call a snap election, which could result in another hung parliament or in victory for either the far-right National Rally or a left-wing coalition.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
That is either an overwhelming endorsement of those men and this coaching staff’s knack for maximising their talents or, alternatively, a candid assessment of Villa’s transfer policy.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Combs' lawyers had previously filed a motion asking Subramanian to either overturn his criminal conviction on the transportation to engage in prostitution charges, or alternatively, grant him a new trial.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office last week charged Fatherley with second-degree murder, or, alternatively, involuntary manslaughter, for his role in Adair’s death.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Are alternatively escapist or educational, depending on the club’s goals.
—Linda-Marie Barrett
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
The situation changes as firms transition from traditional management to the value creating mode, or alternatively, regress backwards.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Their alternatively affable and tense banter in front of the camera depict a fraught father-son relationship in miniature, but also how self-aware and intelligent Adrian could be even in his lowest moments.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Macron could alternatively call a snap election, which could result in another hung parliament or in victory for either the far-right National Rally or a left-wing coalition.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
That is either an overwhelming endorsement of those men and this coaching staff’s knack for maximising their talents or, alternatively, a candid assessment of Villa’s transfer policy.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatively
alternately
Adverb
-
Combine flour, chocolate chips, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves; add to egg mixture alternately with pumpkin, beating well after each addition.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatively. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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