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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:

Aging rock stars aren’t stopping touring, even as health issues force some to alter their plans.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 16, 2026

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

Although the storms tend to be less intense, they can still significantly alter local sea ice conditions.

From Science Daily Sep. 14, 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

“But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Whether the latest upswing in crude prices alters their longer-term outlook remains to be seen, as Brent’s return to triple digits sends government bond yields higher.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 15, 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

Future studies could determine whether it alters other features of the mouth that contribute to healthy teeth and gums.

From Science Daily Jul. 27, 2026

Yes, urged foreign minister Shigenori Togo, because America’s atomic bomb “drastically alters the whole military situation.”

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

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

Kuzichkin and Mr. McCredie followed similar paths on opposite sides of the ideological divide, only to forge a partnership that, the author argues, could have altered the course of history.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 14, 2026

Because of that altered field structure, the strongest interaction does not occur exactly at the center of the beam.

From Science Daily Sep. 13, 2026

But now, 25 years on from the 11 September 2001 attacks, there is a new generation, too young to remember the day that permanently altered much of American life.

From BBC Sep. 11, 2026

Nomadic bands that stalked wild sheep gradually altered the constitutions of the herds on which they preyed.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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

A young man from Modesto heads to USC during the death throes of the studio system and ends up altering the course of Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 8, 2026

Mis-splicing appeared across thousands of genes, potentially altering how important proteins function throughout damaged liver cells.

From Science Daily Aug. 31, 2026

The staff plan would, furthermore, for each of the four resident employees mean a radical altering of our respective customary duties.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro




Vocabulary lists containing alter


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