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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:

He also said he saw "no reason" to change Germany's laws on surrogate pregnancy or alter the CDU's longstanding opposition.

From Barron's Jul. 18, 2026

But because he is already serving two consecutive life sentences for related crimes, it will not alter the amount of time he spends in prison.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 18, 2026

The experiments also revealed that changing the shape of the arms can alter and control the water jets.

From Science Daily Jul. 17, 2026

The suit isn’t likely to alter OpenAI’s AI-device plans—Altman posted on X that he was “not afraid” of Apple—but it could be designed to slow OpenAI down by injecting legal concerns into its hiring efforts.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

The blaze did minimal damage, but he filed a claim for $6,000 on a policy acquired by his fictional alter ego, Hiram S. Campbell.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

He used his remission to promote CAR T-cell therapy, which genetically alters one’s cells to fight cancer, after he said chemotherapy stopped working.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

The change significantly alters the players’ preparation, starting with meal times, Aguirre told Mexican radio.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 3, 2026

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

From MarketWatch Jun. 17, 2026

"As climate change alters wind patterns and ocean flows, wind stress and currents could change the direction of energy flux. Understanding the forces that create this change can lead to more accurate models."

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

Geological evidence from impacts more than 650 million years old is scarce because Earth's surface is constantly being altered and recycled.

From Science Daily Jul. 18, 2026

In the human digestive system, sweeteners may be absorbed, chemically altered, diluted, or broken down before reaching particular microbes.

From Science Daily Jul. 17, 2026

The lead author of the study, Fangjingcheng Zhu, says the study shows the Atlantic circulation can be "abruptly altered during climate change".

From BBC Jul. 14, 2026

The self-aware opening titles, which are altered with every episode, blatantly urge viewers to not hit the “skip intro” button and offers self-referential messages about the show and the experience of watching it.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

They might have postponed Bertha’s fate, but they had not altered it.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

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

The Bureau of Economic Analysis is altering how it measures several components of a price gauge watched by the Fed.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 20, 2026

Through photosynthesis, they would begin the extremely slow process of altering the planet's atmosphere.

From Science Daily Jul. 17, 2026

Studies suggest the cold blob influences atmospheric circulation by altering the path and speed of the jet stream that flows west to east across the continent.

From Barron's Jun. 26, 2026

I recalled from my music research that enjoyable music stimulates the production of the hormone serotonin, which makes us feel joy and elevates our moods by altering our brain waves.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas




Vocabulary lists containing alter


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