as in mixes
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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Recent Examples of alternates
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.
—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
The scene alternates between him on a platform with dancers wearing Xuân Phả folk masks, set against the beautiful landscape of Trang An in Ninh Binh Province.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
And in our car, whoever is in the front seat gets to play the music, and that alternates day-to-day.
—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness.
—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Jan. 2026
Another mistake is planting hostas in heavy, clay soil that alternates between soggy and rock hard.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
According to the researchers, the technology alternates silver ions and trithioisocyanuric acid (TCA) layers on an electrode substrate.
—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
As much as the action, which is tightly cut and usually alternates confidently between characters frantically on-the-move and other characters huddled in claustrophobic spaces, the storylines are held together by the performances.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Panthers have more than enough leadership to go around in their dressing room beyond captain Aleksander Barkov and alternates Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.
—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
The scene alternates between him on a platform with dancers wearing Xuân Phả folk masks, set against the beautiful landscape of Trang An in Ninh Binh Province.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
And in our car, whoever is in the front seat gets to play the music, and that alternates day-to-day.
—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
Among the services offered there is contrast therapy, which alternates heat and cold to promote circulation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle soreness.
—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Jan. 2026
Another mistake is planting hostas in heavy, clay soil that alternates between soggy and rock hard.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
According to the researchers, the technology alternates silver ions and trithioisocyanuric acid (TCA) layers on an electrode substrate.
—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
As much as the action, which is tightly cut and usually alternates confidently between characters frantically on-the-move and other characters huddled in claustrophobic spaces, the storylines are held together by the performances.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Honorees who advanced to the Super Bowl were replaced by alternates (Trubisky was Jared Goff’s alternate in 2018-19) and the exhibition no longer was held in Aloha Stadium each year.
—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternates
Verb
-
As the powder is heated, LMP forms first and mixes evenly with the LFP.
-
Chile Lime Rub pairs bold New Mexican chiles with tart lime, and Butcher’s Rub mixes salt, pepper and garlic with chile flakes, paprika and mustard seed, plus a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Noun
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On matchdays, the first sittings begin around five hours before kick-off, with the last one taking place around three hours before, usually taken by the substitutes who prefer to eat later.
-
Senegal led the way with four goals from substitutes while Switzerland, Germany and Canada each had three goals off the bench.
Verb
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The intro sequence juxtaposes Paula’s frenzied prep for the party with her prep for a potential attack from anyone associated with Trevor’s murder.
-
Much like the film, the choreography juxtaposes joy with despair in an ever-changing environment.
Noun
-
In cases of cobalt toxicity linked to hip replacements, the symptoms usually develop over many months, not weeks, as in the woman’s case.
-
Ukraine's attacks damaged specialized equipment that is often sourced abroad, making repairs time-consuming and expensive as workarounds or replacements are sought by evading sanctions.
Verb
-
Her sculpted exterior combines deep contours and broad convex forms with the yard’s signature elongated bow, resulting in a distinctive yet familiar silhouette.
-
The program combines mentorship with hands-on training, helping filmmakers develop pitch materials, build budgets, understand financing strategies, and prepare projects for distribution conversations.
Noun
-
The subs never actually submerged—passengers simply sat below the lagoon’s waterline—but the ride embodied a growing appetite for underwater tourism.
-
The offer excludes Steak & Cheese Melts and Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket subs, according to the company.
Verb
-
During the first morning of our stay, Sean led us in a morning stretch-and-breathe class that incorporates breath work and gentle yoga poses.
-
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio assesses the overall quality across thousands of equities, not just one catalyst, incorporates the 30 strongest stocks, and rebalances them with rigor.
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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