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 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
This space can alternatively be configured as a home office if preferred.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
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
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
-
Speaking of which, the big category shake-up this year is the introduction of best traditional country album, which is alternately being seen as a reaction to Beyoncé’s best country album victory last year or simply catching up to similar subdivisions in R&B and other genres.—
Alan Light,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Jonny Greenwood’s score moves between soaring strings and dissonant piano keys, alternately soothing and anxious; a few pieces composed by Jon Brion add an ambient layer of wistfulness.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternatively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternatively. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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