al
ter
nate
1
done or happening every other time
- The committee meets on alternative Thursdays to discuss budget updates.
- She schedules her therapy sessions for alternative weekends to accommodate work travel.
- The magazine publishes its print edition in alternative months.
- Our neighborhood holds block parties on alternative summers to keep the tradition special.
- He takes night shifts on alternative weeks to balance his childcare duties.
Synonyms:
2
happening in a back-and-forth pattern
- It was a strange day of alternate sunshine and rain, shifting back and forth.
- The alternate hot and cold weather made it hard to dress appropriately.
- The team experienced alternate victories and losses throughout the season.
- Their moods shifted with alternate moments of excitement and frustration.
- The landscape was marked by alternate stretches of forest and open fields.
Synonyms:
3
serving as an substitute option
- Due to heavy traffic, she decided to take the alternate route home.
- The event organizers provided an alternate date in case of rain.
- We discussed alternate plans in case the original ones fell through.
- He chose an alternate solution to avoid further complications.
- The airline offered alternate flights after the original one was canceled.
Synonyms:
4
(of leaves, branches, etc) arranged on opposite sides of the stem in a staggered pattern
- The tree has alternate leaves that grow on either side of the stem.
- The plant's alternate shoots give it a balanced, symmetrical appearance.
- In some species, alternate leaf arrangement helps maximize sunlight exposure.
- The botanist noted the alternate pattern of the branches as a distinguishing feature.
- Many trees have alternate leaves, which helps them manage space efficiently.
Antonyms:
5
describing something that exists as a different or parallel version of something else
- The story takes place in an alternate universe where history unfolded differently.
- The movie presents an alternate reality where humans never discovered fire.
- He considered taking an alternate route to avoid the traffic.
- The game allows players to explore alternate timelines and outcomes.
- In this alternate version of events, the protagonist makes a completely different choice.