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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:

She knows her film won’t single-handedly change the world or even alter specific policies, but she does believe it can have an impact.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 19, 2026

Those additional particles may alter cloud cover, which in turn affects the Earth's radiation balance by changing how much energy is absorbed or reflected.

From Science Daily Aug. 18, 2026

The self-styled intergalactic space warrior - who finished second to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election - is the alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey.

From BBC Aug. 14, 2026

The Kazakh meteorological service said the impact of the project is "local and short-lived," and that it "does not affect climate processes or alter the movement of air masses".

From Barron's Aug. 12, 2026

And we can, on occasion, deliberately alter some of these genes to change their functions, thereby resulting in altered human states, altered physiologies, and changed beings.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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

There is a serious debate to be had about whether fears of causing offence or being accused of prejudice alters behaviour, particularly in the public services on which we all rely.

From BBC Jun. 6, 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 need to find out whether the wind goes always in that direction or whether it alters like the air currents during the day and the night.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

After moving to Los Angeles, Lynch started visiting the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Center in Santa Monica and it altered his life.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 18, 2026

A second draft of the letter, dated March 4, contained altered language providing that the voter information would be “transferred” to HSI, with one exception: Voters’ party affiliation would be redacted, if possible, it said.

From Salon Aug. 15, 2026

What struck me from my conversation with Wilson and other executives was the way AI has altered their thinking on how to anticipate future technologies that are on the horizon.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 14, 2026

Instead, the findings suggest that very different experiences may sometimes engage overlapping brain processes associated with altered states of consciousness.

From Science Daily Aug. 9, 2026

But only red blood cells were affected by the altered genes—not Noel’s neurons or kidneys or liver cells or muscle cells.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Second, they called on the government to put greater consideration into the crimes committed by prisoners when altering their sentences.

From BBC Aug. 11, 2026

For a creative outlet, he turns to it, altering passages with bits of charcoal to make poetry.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

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

Before attempting to reshape an entire planet, we first need a much deeper understanding of Mars itself, along with the scientific, environmental, and ethical consequences of altering it.

From Science Daily Jul. 17, 2026

The Wart found that he could keep more or less level by altering the inclination of his arm fins and the ones on his stomach.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White




Vocabulary lists containing alter


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