as in mixing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alternating
Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2020
In Montgomery, churches could have alternating rows of pews roped off and pillows placed in the others, asking only family members to sit together.
—Dennis Pillion | [email protected], al, 19 Apr. 2020
To rein in these non-traditional energy sources, researchers typically rely on rectifiers, or devices designed to convert the alternating current of electromagnetic waves—which oscillate in every which direction—into a direct current.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 2 Apr. 2020
The novel presents the alternating viewpoints of Alice and Eleanor in first person, as well as several chapters following John Billington’s point of view (which is disconcertingly rendered in third person).
—Emily Gray Tedrowe, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Verb
District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said early childhood students in full-day preschool will begin returning to their schools on an alternating-day basis beginning Thursday.
—Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2020
In Montgomery, churches could have alternating rows of pews roped off and pillows placed in the others, asking only family members to sit together.
—Dennis Pillion | [email protected], al, 19 Apr. 2020
To rein in these non-traditional energy sources, researchers typically rely on rectifiers, or devices designed to convert the alternating current of electromagnetic waves—which oscillate in every which direction—into a direct current.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 2 Apr. 2020
The novel presents the alternating viewpoints of Alice and Eleanor in first person, as well as several chapters following John Billington’s point of view (which is disconcertingly rendered in third person).
—Emily Gray Tedrowe, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
Adjective
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Joscelyn Roberson 2024 Olympic alternate Joscelyn Roberson also heads to Chicago fresh off an impressive NCAA gymnastics season.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Over the coming months, lead hazards were identified in more buildings and six were temporarily closed during the school year, with students and staff at those buildings moved to alternate locations.—
Alison Dirr,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
That's accompanied by low levels of seasonal influenza activity and very low levels of RSV activity, the CDC says.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
-
Weather watches and warnings issued in Texas As a high-pressure system builds across the Central U.S., temperatures are expected to edge toward and slightly above seasonal averages by late in the week.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The rhythmic whooping grew louder in the air as search helicopters made their way for the missing.—
Sophia Leone,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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With a relationship dating to 1970, the tandem built a balanced, rhythmic symmetry that accommodated any type of flourish or alteration.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Brown devoted Wednesdays to mobility and conditioning after years of just incorporating it into his daily workouts.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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The musical’s score stood out for its non-white cast and incorporating hip-hop, R&B and soul elements to the soundscape.—
Amy Contreras,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The telemetry log employs a cyclic buffer design, automatically overwriting older entries when the log reaches full capacity.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 June 2025
-
Big Bounce: The Universe collapses and then expands again, potentially in a cyclic process.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Girl Who Survived casts Robillard as the 15-year-old title character, an aspiring model in 1980s Los Angeles who shockingly gets caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous serial killer.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
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Now, serial leaker Majin Bu, in a new interview, spotted by MacRumors, claims that the Dynamic Island is going to change.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Rain showers and periodic storms are possible every day through Tuesday before humidity and heat were expected to build again in the Chicago area, the weather service predicted.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
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Businesses should conduct periodic audits of cloud consumption, eliminate redundant services and negotiate better contracts with cloud vendors. 4.—
Motasem El Bawab,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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