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.

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Relevance

alternate

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in alternative

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in backup

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in seasonal

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Dissimilar Words

alternate

3 of 3

noun

as in substitute

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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
In addition, lines in the stanzas usually alternate between lines of four stresses and three stresses, which defines the ballad’s particular rhythmic pattern, or meter. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026 Los Angeles has yet to win two straight games this season, alternating losses and wins in each of the first five weeks, putting it in third place in the NFC West. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The two closures happening concurrently have led officials to urge drivers to plan ahead for alternate routes. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 If symptoms of low testosterone are a concern, ask about alternate options that preserve fertility. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 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
  • Once alkaline water mixes into the sea, modeling becomes unavoidable.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The three colors are mixed in different combinations and ratios, producing 16 different shades.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • Customers who had been due to fly on Saturday were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights, according to the airline.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • According to the store, Clarkson left before seeing the alternative item.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Agencies that provided backup service in the city while Ann Arbor Fire Department was on this call included Saline Area Fire Authority, Superior Township Fire Department and Dexter Area Fire Department.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Jaguars had trouble with a backup long snapper but the field goals were chip shots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • What was once primarily farmland and cattle pastures has evolved into a destination for families looking for seasonal fun.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • About the outlook NOAA's seasonal outlooks predict the likelihood that average temperature and precipitation for a particular area will end up above, below or near average during the 3-month meteorological season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola dropped Virgil van Dijk to the substitutes’ bench with French defender Jérémy Jacquet starting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But there’s no substitute, at the end of the day, for the human biologist.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Rays batters struck out 13 times after combining for 14 in the first two games.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Holland was ousted in 2020, when Sarandos combined English-language and international content under Bajaria (elevating the latter to the largest autonomous content job in the streamer’s history).
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • Kisky wasted no time bailing out of his makeshift observation post.
    — Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Outside their perimeters, vendors hawked noodles and cigarettes from makeshift stalls.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • Concerns over a possible serial killer in Lansing, Michigan, have the Big Ten college town on edge.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of serial

Browse Nearby Words

altering
alternate
alternated
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Cite this Entry

“Alternate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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