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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.

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Voluntary standards would primarily raise costs for participating laboratories, government rules could alter competition between companies and jurisdictions, and an enforceable industrywide agreement would have the broadest implications for chip demand and capital spending.

From MarketWatch Sep. 15, 2026

Xinyue Lu, a doctoral student in Computational Biology who co-led the research, described the system as a computational test bed that can be used to explore how changes in genome folding might alter gene activity.

From Science Daily Sep. 13, 2026

Open AI models are, by definition, harder to control, as users can alter their parameters -- potentially for malicious purposes.

From Barron's Sep. 13, 2026

At one stage Root left the field for an opportunity to consult with the England backroom staff, although it did little to alter the course of the evening.

From BBC Sep. 11, 2026

People who can make gold from lead, or anything else for that matter, who can alter the very material of the world—financial markets would be thrown into chaos.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

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

From Salon Sep. 5, 2026

Prolonged heat exposure alters development and threatens long-term population stability.

From Science Daily Jul. 29, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 3, 2026

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

“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

In Echard’s case, they alleged, she altered her own sister’s sonogram to persuade him she was pregnant, then lied about it under oath.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 16, 2026

The researchers interpreted those findings as evidence that the sweetener was being chemically altered inside the animals.

From Science Daily Sep. 14, 2026

Warren also raised questions about Taylor Farms’ political contributions and lobbying, though her letter did not establish that those connections altered the government’s response.

From Salon Sep. 13, 2026

In July, an OpenAI model altered its mission, hid and broke out of its digital confines.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 9, 2026

If heredity had no means of maintaining variance—of “fixing” the altered trait—then all alterations in characters would eventually vanish into colorless oblivion by virtue of blending.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Two of Ballmer’s top executives were also sanctioned, altering the way the team will have to operate moving forward.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 14, 2026

Experts estimated that close to 400,000 people remain at risk from a myriad of life altering ailments.

From Salon Sep. 11, 2026

This includes for things like replacing windows or altering roofs.

From BBC Sep. 9, 2026

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a top player and NL MVP favorite after fundamentally altering his batting stance.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 2, 2026

She said yes to both, altering the trajectory of both our lives.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman




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