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Definitions

alternate

[awl-ter-nayt, al-, awl-ter-nit, al-] / ˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-, ˈɔl tər nɪt, ˈæl- /
ADJECTIVE
substitute
Synonyms
Antonyms






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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Rather than spinning their entire bodies together, the snakes alternate between rolling on one side and swinging a curved section of their bodies downward beside their heads.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026

The "Modern Warfare" games depict military conflicts in the modern era, inspired by international tensions, while the "Black Ops" games take place in an alternate reality where the Cold War never ended.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

The alternate takeaway would be far more concerning.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

When I ask Mandel whether writing out these alternate realities scares her or helps her to cope, she admits a bit of both.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

The opposing teams would alternate as the lead, second, third, and fourth bowlers all took their turn.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

While the marketing industry often alternates between dread and hype regarding AI, Dimon suggested that he views the tech as powerful but also practical.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

In the broadcast booth, he sometimes alternates between standing and sitting, or puts his feet up on a table, anything to avoid sitting for hours on end.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Instead, many scientists have argued that the brain simply alternates attention between tasks so quickly that it creates the illusion of doing both at once.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

The rest of the album alternates between chaos and control, introspection and criticism, grungy beats and hazy surrealism.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026

We are alive against the stupendous odds of genetics, infinitely outnumbered by all the alternates who might, except for luck, be in our places.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

These changes provided a way to define the system's progression through time, even when the bright region alternated between expansion and contraction.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

Matheus Cunha: Began through the middle again and alternated with Fernandes as the furthest player forward.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

We alternated between mat and barre work, using light weights and an exercise strap and ball.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Erika alternated between sobbing so much she couldn’t speak and sharing beloved memories about Charlie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Thereafter she alternated between the former masters and the former slaves.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

A year later, the two knights took their talents to Broadway, alternating performances of Waiting for Godot with Harold Pinter's No Man's Land.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

They successfully demonstrated optical switching in a substantially thicker magnetic structure containing nine alternating layers of platinum and cobalt.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

Developed in parallel by several studios, "Call of Duty" has been split into two series for more than 15 years, with new titles released in alternating years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

The medical staff recommended breathwork and stretching sessions, along with contrast therapy, alternating between freezing-cold temperatures and heat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

What I can see, between alternating pairs of lavender and mint green leather boots, is a street full of bodies.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins


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