alternating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of alternatingnext
as in alternate

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Dissimilar Words

alternating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of alternate
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.

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of alternating
Adjective
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
Verb
Palo Alto City Council is considering a proposal that would prohibit oversized vehicles and RVs from parking on alternating sides of certain streets and allow parking in some parts of the neighborhood with a permit. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Distinct Flooring Flooring with alternating colors or accents can look interesting before it get placed on the ground. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternating
  1. alternate
  2. mixing
  3. seasonal
  4. combining
  5. rhythmic
  6. juxtaposing
  7. cyclic
  8. incorporating
Adjective
  • The Labor Department’s unemployment rate has been declining in recent months, reversing last year’s uptick, but an alternate measure tells a different story.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The quality of the animation is unparalleled, as is the care that went into creating its alternate version of 1940s Hollywood.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternate
Verb
  • Veteran Emari Demercado should start the season as the third-down passing back, with Brashard Smith mixing in as a gadget piece and kick returner.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Trying to fit Hinduism into Western categories of theisms diverges from the tradition’s diverse history of ideas while mixing internal understandings with European perspectives and categories.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of mixing
Adjective
  • The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • At 180º Restaurant, the menu follows the rhythm of the day, from breakfast through dinner, with fresh, seasonal ingredients taking center stage.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of seasonal
Verb
  • Klein, for his part, hopes the results inspire future research combining keto with popular glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1) weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and more.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
  • By combining multiple types of light into one image, NASA is able to reveal the complete picture of what this energetic galaxy is made of.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of combining
Adjective
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In the clip, Lee expertly beats on a bongo while Limbani responds with eager rhythmic dancing.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rhythmic
Verb
  • Maya Mountains, Belize The Maya Mountains stretch 70 miles across southern Belize into Guatemala, juxtaposing the bright blues of Belize’s coastline.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Suede shirt + camo capris + gold accents One of the easiest ways to look like a fashion insider is juxtaposing masculine and feminine elements in one outfit.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 28 July 2026
Definition of juxtaposing
Adjective
  • This cyclic climate pattern is marked by unusually hot Pacific Ocean temperatures, which can affect the entire planet’s weather.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This incentive model creates a self-improving and cyclical quality filter.
    — Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cyclic
Verb
  • This short film, created by Little Nemo cartoonist Winsor McCay, is one of the very best dinosaur movies, a groundbreaking work of animation and one of the first examples of incorporating the medium into live-action.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • By comparison, incorporating luxury fibers such as silk into denim creates a tangible opportunity for storytelling—something consumers can immediately see and feel.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of incorporating

Browse Nearby Words

alternates
alternating
alternative
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Cite this Entry

“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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