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Updated June 2026
To occur or do something in turns repeatedly, switching between two or more states, actions, or options. As an adjective, it describes something that serves as a substitute or happens every second instance.
“The traffic lights alternate between red, amber, and green in a continuous cycle.”
/ˈɒl.tə(r)ˌneɪt/
al·ter·nate
Three instances of E and the -NATE ending are key identifiers
11 points; useful for creating parallel words with common letters
Look up alternate in an authoritative dictionary for full definitions, pronunciation, and etymology.
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