alternate 1 of 3

verb

Definition of alternatenext
as in to mix
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

Relevance

alternate

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in alternative

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in backup

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in seasonal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

alternate

3 of 3

noun

as in substitute

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 alternate
Verb
Subsequent moonshots will alternate between the two billionaires' landers. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026 The researchers didn’t dig into why alternating between strength and cardio exercises was linked with greater reductions in blood pressure, but Tso said that both aerobic and strength training have independent effects on blood pressure. — Currie Engel, HEALTH, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Over the next twenty years, the games and their expansion packs focused on historical events, alternate history and future conflicts. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 Messi and the Giants follows Leo, a 12-year-old boy who becomes trapped in an alternate reality ruled by giants. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
Last year, Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was, statistically, one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks over his seven starts, yet still made the Pro Bowl as the sixth alternate after several opt-outs. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Cameoing in the film as an alternate to Captain America, Carter — an MCU fixture since 2011 — was apparently killed off by Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) with her own shield. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternate
  1. mix
  2. alternative
  3. backup
  4. seasonal
  5. substitute
  6. combine
  7. makeshift
  8. serial
Verb
  • The result is Ba’s Book, which mixes vérité documentary, re-enactments by family members in Vietnam and actors, as well as travelog into a heartfelt family film.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Empress’s own 1908 Indigo Gin, which changes color depending on what’s mixed in, is absolutely delicious.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • Industry analysts observe that if market participants believed crude transport could permanently rely on rerouting, alternative ports, and emergency reserve releases, oil prices should have pulled back meaningfully.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • And when the healthcare system is flawed to its core and disinformation about alternative treatments spreads rapidly online?
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • All of these factors are coming together to create a very dangerous threat landscape, and as a result, regulators are placing greater emphasis on backup integrity, business continuity and resilience.
    — David Bennett, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Your overflow of coffee table books,backup candles, and other living room miscellany can find a home in this sideboard that can anchor your entryway or moonlight as an entertainment console.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • The onsite restaurant is one of Edinburgh's best, offering seasonal Scottish ingredients reinterpreted with French panache.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Capitol Corner Bar plans to offer rotating seasonal cocktails, too.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • Fight to Unite might appear to be a substitute for the missing Las Vegas festival, but bringing Punk Rock Bowling to Los Angeles has been discussed for years.
    — Dick Slaughter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There is no substitute for the human connection, human thought, human nuance.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • After combining to win just 60 games over the past three seasons, good health could see the team residing in the nation’s capital crack 40 wins for the first time since 2018.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The new system takes the concept in a different direction by combining hydrogen production with chemical synthesis.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • The claims were made by four inmates who apparently inhabit the same unit as the Grammy-winner, including one who cooked for Combs on makeshift heating elements, offering up dishes like curry chicken, pizza and empanadas.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Not far away, armed men had been occupying makeshift barricades, blocking roads and turning some drivers away.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • One of them, drunk, told him that serial killer Yoo Young-chul had once set a fire and escaped after being taken into custody by police in Mapo.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The next few months of Apple TV include a serial killer thriller (Nocturne), a heist drama (12 12 12), and one of the service’s most ambitious sci-fi shows to date (Neuromancer).
    — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of serial

Browse Nearby Words

altering
alternate
alternated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alternate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All