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Definitions
Trivia Time
In Greek mythology, which shape-shifting sea god could alter his appearance at will?

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:

The U.S. government will release key inflation reports next week, which could alter expectations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

Their findings suggest that carefully chosen enzymes might someday be used to alter the makeup of dental plaque and help maintain a healthier balance of microorganisms.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

The government will release key inflation reports next week, which could alter expectations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

Off-track conversation has been dominated by this all year, and rules are changing for next year to alter the energy split to try to ameliorate the issue.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

And Play God, to permanently alter the landscape.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Mr. Flanagan has introduced a subplot to the existing “Carrie” text that alters quite a bit of the narrative, which may be met with some disgruntlement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Any analysis that requires drilling or removing part of a specimen permanently alters an object that cannot be replaced.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 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

How writing or just thinking your name alters my mood.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

The weather has certainly altered in this area.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The U.S. release ended up with an altered track listing that highlighted the group’s folkier leanings; Joni Mitchell wore the grooves out on her copy and slipped “Norwegian Wood” into her coffeehouse sets in Detroit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

The yields can be altered depending on the type of crude used and the configuration of the refinery, but not by much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Instead, it became a meeting point for several different water systems that altered the same rocks at different stages of Mars' history.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 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

"Inside the body, we can't do that post-manufacturing quality control, so we really needed to optimize the approach upfront to avoid altering any other cells."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

About a decade ago, the practice was still allowed across all US state but more and more states have been altering laws.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

He has imagined apocalyptic scenarios like AI data centers snapping up land once used for agriculture and causing mass-starvation or AI engineers altering the earth’s atmosphere, making it inhospitable to humans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

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

It is a hypermutant, a shape shifter, spontaneously altering its character as it moves through populations and through individuals.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston




Vocabulary lists containing alter


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