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
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
This space can alternatively be configured as a home office if preferred.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
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
This space can alternatively be configured as a home office if preferred.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternatively
alternately
Adverb
-
Then alternately fold in 1/3 of dry mixture and 1/3 of milk mixture.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
And whether the Carolina Panthers are just stuck in an endless loop of embarrassment, one that alternately humiliates and enrages their fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatively. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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