alter

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /

VERB

change

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adjust amend change develop modify reshape revamp revise shift transform vary

STRONG

adapt convert cook diversify doctor metamorphose mutate recast reconstruct refashion reform remodel renovate transmute turn

WEAK

correct mid-course dial back fine tune make different phony up recalibrate

Antonyms

STRONGEST

leave alone remain stagnate stay

WEAK

continue fix keep let stand maintain preserve retain sustain

VERB

sterilize animal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

change fix

STRONG

caponize castrate desexualize emasculate geld mutilate neuter spay unsex

Antonyms

STRONG

breed

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.

It took courage and a dearth of options to alter Asher Raphael’s course.

From The Wall Street Journal

The official name of Long Beach’s new minor league baseball team was announced Tuesday along with the name of its “alter ego”: the Long Beach Regulators.

From Los Angeles Times

But the law is no closer to being altered than it was in 2020.

From BBC

Changing the frequency altered how precisely participants experienced body ownership and how accurately they judged whether visual and tactile signals occurred at the same time.

From Science Daily

With less interest money flowing from those unpaid balances, banks would need to dramatically alter their business models and customer offerings.

From MarketWatch

alter

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words