alternating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alternatingnext
as in alternate

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

alternating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of alternate
as in mixing
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

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 alternating
Adjective
District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said early childhood students in full-day preschool will begin returning to their schools on an alternating-day basis beginning Thursday. — Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2020 In Montgomery, churches could have alternating rows of pews roped off and pillows placed in the others, asking only family members to sit together. — Dennis Pillion | [email protected], al, 19 Apr. 2020
Verb
Palo Alto City Council is considering a proposal that would prohibit oversized vehicles and RVs from parking on alternating sides of certain streets and allow parking in some parts of the neighborhood with a permit. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Distinct Flooring Flooring with alternating colors or accents can look interesting before it get placed on the ground. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
  1. alternate
  2. mixing
  3. seasonal
  4. combining
  5. rhythmic
  6. juxtaposing
  7. cyclic
  8. incorporating
Adjective
  • The Labor Department’s unemployment rate has been declining in recent months, reversing last year’s uptick, but an alternate measure tells a different story.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The quality of the animation is unparalleled, as is the care that went into creating its alternate version of 1940s Hollywood.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternate
Verb
  • Veteran Emari Demercado should start the season as the third-down passing back, with Brashard Smith mixing in as a gadget piece and kick returner.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Trying to fit Hinduism into Western categories of theisms diverges from the tradition’s diverse history of ideas while mixing internal understandings with European perspectives and categories.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of mixing
Adjective
  • The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • At 180º Restaurant, the menu follows the rhythm of the day, from breakfast through dinner, with fresh, seasonal ingredients taking center stage.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Verb
  • The calculation refers to nominal total returns, combining coupon income and changes in the bond's market price.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • By combining central load absorption, multi-axis flexibility, and active retraction control, the Robotrax system offers plant engineers and system integrators a reliable path toward maximizing robot uptime and reducing total operational costs.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of combining
Adjective
  • Wind Features Kinetic wind features also create a focal point, and their rhythmic motion in the wind can be as soothing as that of a water feature.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sliding bass, sharp percussion and dark production create a menacing backdrop for Pop Smoke’s unmistakably deep voice, which lands as another rhythmic element within the track.
    — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Verb
  • Maya Mountains, Belize The Maya Mountains stretch 70 miles across southern Belize into Guatemala, juxtaposing the bright blues of Belize’s coastline.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Suede shirt + camo capris + gold accents One of the easiest ways to look like a fashion insider is juxtaposing masculine and feminine elements in one outfit.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 28 July 2026
Definition of juxtaposing
Adjective
  • Memory was historically one of the most cyclical parts of the semiconductor industry, meaning profits could surge when supply was tight and fall sharply once new capacity catches up with demand.
    — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Wemlinger says the cyclical nature of design trends has brought these colors back, but the nostalgia factor is changing how they’re used.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of cyclic
Verb
  • This short film, created by Little Nemo cartoonist Winsor McCay, is one of the very best dinosaur movies, a groundbreaking work of animation and one of the first examples of incorporating the medium into live-action.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • By comparison, incorporating luxury fibers such as silk into denim creates a tangible opportunity for storytelling—something consumers can immediately see and feel.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of incorporating

Browse Nearby Words

alternates
alternating
alternative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All