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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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
The judge also issued Taylor custody of Ever on the same midweek day each week without overnights as well as alternating weekends. — Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 The custom, with the speakers alternating between our two political parties, continues to this day. — Lonnie G. Bunch Iii, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
Adjective
Set in an alternate past during Japan's Meiji era, the world of Sparks of Tomorrow is totally reliant on steam power, with massive boilers constantly puffing away. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 With the facilities unavailable, Caltrans is encouraging travelers to plan ahead by identifying alternate places to stop for fuel, food, restroom breaks and rest before beginning their trip. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
Drury, a trampoline athlete for Team USA, finished as an alternate for the Tokyo team while Hernandez’s comeback bid ended due to a knee injury. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Webb originally became an alternate in 2022 at the behest of veterans Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 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
  • Wall Street was mixed in light trading early Thursday as chip stocks fell further and oil prices dipped near their levels before the Iran war began.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • As the amiable leader of Shinyribs, Russell and his colleagues mix rock, country, Texas blues, New Orleans funk, Memphis soul and more into an enjoyable, good-timey, bar-band blend.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026
Definition of mix
Adjective
  • The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Demand for alternative currencies, including the Singapore dollar, South Korean won and South African rand, is also growing.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and backup Daniil Tarasov will both be free agents in a matter of days, leaving Florida with a crucial hole — or net – to fill.
    — Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2026
  • The chest itself, meanwhile, is believed to have been produced as a backup version, with the onscreen chest featuring additional exterior detailing, according to Heritage.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Definition of backup
Adjective
  • Their menu is seasonal and slightly whimsical while retaining a clear vision, a good representation of the many personalities that make up the Kimball House team.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • But the mudroom also needs closed storage such as cabinets, drawers, or baskets to help with seasonal gear, sports equipment, and everyday clutter.
    — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 4 July 2026
Definition of seasonal
Noun
  • Haaland, a fan favorite in the tournament, will start the match on the substitutes' bench, ESPN reported Friday.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Mathewson noted that merely keeping abreast of the latest developments is no substitute for working with them directly.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Diogo Costo had six saves for Colombia, which marked more saves than the team had in its first two matches combined.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Grab a tortilla chip and scoop up a bite of this multi-layered dip that combines the flavors of the Southwest.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of combine
Adjective
  • On the solstice, the first goal was to clear trash that had found its way onto the orchard, then form makeshift berms out of rocks dispersed around the space.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • The morgue that serves La Guaira is makeshift—a white tent on a dock lined with body bags and coffins.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • Somdutta Singh, Founder and CEO of Assiduus Global, is a serial entrepreneur, investor and author.
    — Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, photographs and footage from the 1976 ceremony are not clear enough to read the serial or part numbers off the arm assembly, and no one at the museum seems to remember or know which model the arm came from (if any).
    — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of alternate for Spanish Speakers

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