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Showing results for alter. Search instead for aaltet.
Definitions
Trivia Time
In Greek mythology, which shape-shifting sea god could alter his appearance at will?

alter

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /




Usage

What is another way to say alter? To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, while still preserving the identity: to alter a dress, as by raising the hem (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one). To change is to make a material difference so that something is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

If the truce brought a rare moment of relief to Oleshky, it has done little to alter the wider trajectory of a war that grinds on for now.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Other simulated changes, including increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, did not alter the availability of suitable climates for crocodiles.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

Kurtz said several tells led her to conclude that AI was likely used to alter her work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

While some restructuring was needed, they didn’t want to alter everything.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

In that instant, as Daugherty sized up Harding, an idea came to him that would alter American history: Wouldn’t that man make a great President?

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

In that scene, Rhys Harries impressively alters his own features without makeup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

"Future studies can build on this work to explore how psilocybin alters neural signaling, which serotonin pathways are involved, and why some aspects of social behavior are affected while others are not," concluded Currie.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Mr. Flanagan has introduced a subplot to the existing “Carrie” text that alters quite a bit of the narrative, which may be met with some disgruntlement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Spanish meteorological research group Climatoc-Lab described it as "a manifestation of how global warming alters the hydrological cycle".

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

“My guess is that the needle injected you with a transmitter,” he says, “and the gas was an aerosol version of the liquid that alters the brain. But why...”

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

That brief period of dominance could have altered how the early universe evolved, influencing the conditions that ultimately allowed matter to outnumber antimatter.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2026

Scientists can later illuminate the crystal with blue light, causing these altered regions to glow red.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

Authorities determined that Owens altered an ultrasound image, fabricated a pregnancy video and lied under oath claiming she was pregnant, according to a statement from prosecutors at the time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026

The company has been panned by some academics and scientists, who doubt Colossal’s claims of scientific breakthroughs and warn that introducing heavily genetically altered creatures can cause dangerous ecological disruption.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

The genes altered in these mutants, Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus reasoned, determine the basic architectural plan of the embryo.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The former Board of Public Works member suggested that altering the five-member panel should have been its own item, saying, “The longer the paragraphs are, the fewer words the public will read.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

Common suggestions include eliminating the income-tax cap, raising the full retirement age, implementing new taxation avenues or altering the cost-of-living adjustment in an effort to boost revenue for the program.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

The order comes in a legal fight over Trump’s renovation plan and requires the government to give notice before closing or altering the property.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

The warming phase of a natural climate cycle, El Nino events temporarily elevate global temperatures, altering cloud and wind patterns, and raise the risk of damaging weather.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

She nodded without altering her calm expression, and her husband nodded back in silence.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson


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