as in mixed
to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series
To make the appetizer, you should alternate layers of tomatoes and cheese. The poem alternates fear and hope.
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Recent Examples of alternated
Police say two of the officers alternated on performing the abdominal thrusts while two other officers kept the woman upright.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The pope, who alternated between English, Spanish and Italian when answering questions, also criticized the Iranian regime’s killing of protesters in his first remarks on the topic.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Cutesy anecdotes alternated with triumphs and tragedies—a school district rescued from a ransomware gang, an iPad salvaged from a plane crash.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Current guitarist Meg Mills alternated between reach-for-the-sky reverb and chunky riff-heavy power chords, playing off the rest of the band’s high-octane energy.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
As with its last two installments, FH6 respects Japan’s changing seasons, though their effect on the world is far more profound than in Forza Horizon 5‘s Mexico, which really only alternated between dry and wet spells.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
Platt’s and Zegler’s voices flawlessly alternated from song to song, reaching the rafters with heartbreak and humor, yearning and love.
—Julia Edelstein, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Southern Kerala state presents a different challenge, where power has traditionally alternated between alliances led by the Indian National Congress and communist parties.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
For about 18 months, the Fed has leaned toward cutting rates, and in its meetings has alternated between cuts and no change to rates.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The pope, who alternated between English, Spanish and Italian when answering questions, also criticized the Iranian regime’s killing of protesters in his first remarks on the topic.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Cutesy anecdotes alternated with triumphs and tragedies—a school district rescued from a ransomware gang, an iPad salvaged from a plane crash.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Current guitarist Meg Mills alternated between reach-for-the-sky reverb and chunky riff-heavy power chords, playing off the rest of the band’s high-octane energy.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
As with its last two installments, FH6 respects Japan’s changing seasons, though their effect on the world is far more profound than in Forza Horizon 5‘s Mexico, which really only alternated between dry and wet spells.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
Platt’s and Zegler’s voices flawlessly alternated from song to song, reaching the rafters with heartbreak and humor, yearning and love.
—Julia Edelstein, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Southern Kerala state presents a different challenge, where power has traditionally alternated between alliances led by the Indian National Congress and communist parties.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
For about 18 months, the Fed has leaned toward cutting rates, and in its meetings has alternated between cuts and no change to rates.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternated
Verb
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Fine pitching and timely hitting mixed in with some power was the formula for success for the Costa Mesa baseball team in a 6-1 victory over Fullerton in the Empire League on Friday at Costa Mesa High School.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent four days there on a trip that mixed private, philanthropic and business outings, bringing them back to the continent for the first time since their 2018 royal tour.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Plus, memberships can be combined with the brands' credit cards to earn rewards.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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The visual style, combined with Graczyk’s emotionally penetrating writing and the nakedly confessional performances, makes this both a key Altman work and a great case study for filmmakers trying to figure out how to create a sense of scale with limited funds.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
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One speaker juxtaposed the chain-link prop that Kutulas had used against a poster-size picture of the lakefront.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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However, just because two specific shades don't work together doesn't mean similar or less saturated tones of each shade can't be juxtaposed in a visually appealing way.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sound mitigation measures — including berms and acoustic treatment — would be incorporated to control noise levels, and exterior lighting would be shielded and directed downward to prevent glare or spillover into surrounding properties.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
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Long before European arrival, Indigenous peoples across what is now the United States recognized the plant by its distinctive aroma and incorporated it into systems of medicine.—
Kari Traylor,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chewy coconut, crunchy cashew crumbs, lots of caramel goo interspersed with chocolate goo.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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Speaking of spikes, over at the megalith design exhibition Alcova, CJ Aslan – founder of fashion brand ASLAN WORLD – presents a chair and ottoman covered in a sea of sharp stainless steel ones, interspersed playfully with gemstones.—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alternated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternated. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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