Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for alter. Search instead for altdeich.
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:

AI is surpassing human abilities in pursuits from mathematics to computer programming, while threatening to alter or even eradicate many jobs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Now, he’s going to be applying for British citizenship, a change that could alter his comedic perspective.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

If traditional milestones like buying a home feel completely out of reach, behavioral experts say it can alter how people approach their everyday money decisions.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Treating the Lawson criterion as a single unchanging threshold overlooks physical processes that can substantially alter the requirements for ignition.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

What you alter in the remembering has yet a reality, known or not.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Turning the toes slightly inward or outward alters the forces acting on the knee, potentially reducing stress on the affected cartilage.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Social Security recipients can get an additional benefit for dependent children, which alters the calculation about when to draw benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

In her version, Bernhard alters the lyrics to pay tribute to Sylvester, whose untimely death left an immense legacy.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

Infant formula is designed to provide the correct balance of nutrients for babies when mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed, and adding extra water alters that balance.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

“The transmitter and the liquid that induces the simulation. The transmitter communicates information to the brain from the computer, and vice versa, and the liquid alters the brain to put it in a simulation state.”

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Understand the world with the help of the Muppets: In 2012, Dahlia Lithwick published a piece of cultural analysis that permanently altered how readers viewed their marriages, their workplaces, and the U.S.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

But open-weight models like those released by Chinese companies can be more easily altered and optimized by users for nefarious purposes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The weather has certainly altered in this area.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The U.S. release ended up with an altered track listing that highlighted the group’s folkier leanings; Joni Mitchell wore the grooves out on her copy and slipped “Norwegian Wood” into her coffeehouse sets in Detroit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Penelope thought she had planned the day from top to bottom, but she had not planned that the children would be in a funk, and so, she realized, her plan must be altered.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Fintech founders have caught on to how Americans are altering their financial habits, and they’ve created new products to try to meet the moment.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

"You're altering the microbiome of your gut, and perhaps creating antibiotic resistant bacteria in your body that will fight off the drug therapy the next time you really need it," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Barr revises the work, altering identifying details, and publishes it to acclaim as a novel of his own.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

But studies show that infrastructure development and tourism are squeezing its habitat, while increasing noise is altering how it communicates with potential mates and rivals.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

She had a lucrative side business as a Tailor, seeing to the wrinkles and jowls of the wealthy Kerch, but her chief source of income came from altering moods.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo


Vocabulary lists containing alter

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training