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Definitions

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:

AbuSalim, Rabinowitz and their colleagues found that these proteins are processed by gut microbes and can alter both the makeup of the microbiome and the host's metabolism.

From Science Daily Aug. 15, 2026

The self-styled intergalactic space warrior - who finished second to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election - is the alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey.

From BBC Aug. 14, 2026

The Kazakh meteorological service said the impact of the project is "local and short-lived," and that it "does not affect climate processes or alter the movement of air masses".

From Barron's Aug. 12, 2026

The EPA has warned that hackers who penetrate a water system could also alter treatment chemicals to hazardous levels.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 8, 2026

According to the New York Times, "it's been estimated by some intelligence experts that Mr. Walker provided enough code-data information to alter significantly the balance of power between Russia and the United States."

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

I interviewed Christo in 2011, and he was eloquent about how his and his wife’s work alters perceptions of nature, and about the deliberately transient character of the art itself.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 20, 2026

Moreover, the repeal of this rule substantially alters settlement dynamics.

From MarketWatch Jun. 17, 2026

There is a serious debate to be had about whether fears of causing offence or being accused of prejudice alters behaviour, particularly in the public services on which we all rely.

From BBC Jun. 6, 2026

As climate change alters wind patterns and ocean behavior, the forces acting on these systems may also affect how energy moves through turbulent flows.

From Science Daily Jun. 3, 2026

I doubt that I am overstating the case here: our capacity to understand and manipulate human genomes alters our conception of what it means to be “human.”

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A second draft of the letter, dated March 4, contained altered language providing that the voter information would be “transferred” to HSI, with one exception: Voters’ party affiliation would be redacted, if possible, it said.

From Salon Aug. 15, 2026

When Thoreau visited the scene a few days later, he “found women who had already altered the gowns of the passengers—presumably including Fuller’s—that their husbands and sons had stolen from the beach.”

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 14, 2026

And then there’s just how enormously California’s natural places have altered and disappeared in the century since the last grizzly was killed.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 13, 2026

Aminudeen revealed that some couples had been disqualified after being discovered to have altered their medical test results.

From BBC Aug. 9, 2026

If the splendor inside Adiah was what had altered her appearance, then perhaps...

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Second, they called on the government to put greater consideration into the crimes committed by prisoners when altering their sentences.

From BBC Aug. 11, 2026

Artificial intelligence is profoundly altering the digital universe, with the promise of ever greater computing power.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 2, 2026

The debate is not about whether AI is real or whether it’s reshaping the U.S. economy by fundamentally altering corporate productivity, capital allocation and the labor market.

From MarketWatch Jul. 20, 2026

They have known for decades that climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of several types of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, heat waves and extreme rainfall.

From Barron's Jul. 16, 2026

“That your father’s gun?” he asks, altering tactics.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes




Vocabulary lists containing alter


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