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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 alternates
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
The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The project alternates between details of everyday life—imbued with a surreal, universal quality—and delicate, melancholic landscapes alongside portraits of figures suspended in time, inhabiting their own oneiric world.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
From there, Denver alternates between home and away for the first week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The home team then alternates on the last three potential duels.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The project alternates between details of everyday life—imbued with a surreal, universal quality—and delicate, melancholic landscapes alongside portraits of figures suspended in time, inhabiting their own oneiric world.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
From there, Denver alternates between home and away for the first week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternates
Verb
-
Shepherd notes with pride that Renee’s Garden offers common flowers in multiple colors and forms, such as 16 different nasturtiums and 23 zinnia varieties, as well as specialty mixes such as pollinator mixes and others.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Fortune Cookie Martini The Super Bowl beverage menu, which ranges in price from $19 to $22, mixes creativity with whimsy, including with Chinatown’s Fortune Cookie Martini.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As Chelsea’s staff and substitutes spilled onto the pitch to shake hands and celebrate their 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cole Palmer seemed distracted — turning around, clearly looking for something.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
If not, the market would be expanded to include nearby substitutes, with the test repeated until a profitable price hike is achieved.—
Hal Singer,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For instance, at one point, Ratner juxtaposes footage of workers removing the Biden family's personal effects from the White House on Inauguration Day with Melania putting her hat on.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Artist Hyunhee Kim, whose reimagining of traditional Korean furniture juxtaposes ornate structure and space, contributed multiple creative accents to the Ferrari 12Cilindri Tailor Made.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
As 2026 approaches, more executives are beginning to explore similar forms of digital assistance, not as replacements for human judgment, but as extensions of it.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Innovate Energy combines Mike’s personal journey with the nuclear power’s broader evolution into a movement and a book aimed at people running mines, mills, and remote operations who are tired of gambling on the grid.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Volkswagen’s The Force, 2011 Just try to resist smiling while watching this adorable Volkswagen commercial, which combines youthful ambition and some loving sleight of hand.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
We were thrilled to have her friends and even both sets of grandparents to our house in Lakeland for popcorn chicken and Publix subs.—
Josh M. Shepherd,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Fewer subs to help ramp up the tempo and maybe get the primary guys in better rhythm?—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Each arm incorporates multiple servo motors arranged to provide precise, coordinated movement.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternates. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
