alternately
adverb
al·ter·nate·ly
US and Canadian
ˈȯl-tər-nət-lē
also ˈal-;
chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-
1
: by turns one after the other
His heart rate was 175, his blood pressure alternately spiking and falling.—
Stephen King
Stephen KingAs the gravitational waves passed Earth, they would alternately compress and expand the space between two objects.—Neil deGrasse Tyson et al.
Neil deGrasse Tyson et al.The rest of the day I spent alternately pacing the length of the train … or looking out the windows.—Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan2
: as an alternative
—used to introduce a different possibility from what has been previously suggested or described
From then on, you can take out almost $10,000 a year and annuitize $160,000 after at least ten years. Alternately, you can make no withdrawals and let your guaranteed base grow by 6 percent a year.—Kerry Pechter
Kerry PechterThe club was originally known as Fontana Bar (or, alternately, Fontana Lounge and Fontana Room) from Bellagio's opening until it shifted to Hyde in December 2011.—John Katsilometes
John KatsilometesYou could be in for a pretty remarkable experience—or, alternately, one of the most miserable and terrifying nights of your life.—Drew Schwartz
Drew SchwartzExamples of alternately in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Conan was alternately aghast and mesmerized by Norm’s rough play.
—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar, alternately with reserved blueberry puree, beating just until combined after each addition.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Legal scholars have described it — alternately — as bold, radical, reckless and quite extraordinary.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
After the 2016 election, many liberal media figures proudly assumed the role of protectors of democracy, in a way that alternately felt necessary and a bit vainglorious.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Using soft-action baitcasting rods and 8-pound abrasion-resistant line, troll between 1.5 and 2.5 mph in a lazy S pattern, alternately sweeping the open water over the channel and banging bottom on top of the drop with your lures.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The case and bracelet are alternately satin-brushed and polished, and there are bevels everywhere, from the bridges to the bezel, and the result is a 3D effect and makes the sand gold appear to change color depending on the light.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Gradually beat in powdered sugar alternately with 1/3 cup blueberry puree until combined.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
He was regarded by his devotees as alternately a sinister force and an avenging angel.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar, alternately with reserved blueberry puree, beating just until combined after each addition.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Legal scholars have described it — alternately — as bold, radical, reckless and quite extraordinary.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
After the 2016 election, many liberal media figures proudly assumed the role of protectors of democracy, in a way that alternately felt necessary and a bit vainglorious.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Using soft-action baitcasting rods and 8-pound abrasion-resistant line, troll between 1.5 and 2.5 mph in a lazy S pattern, alternately sweeping the open water over the channel and banging bottom on top of the drop with your lures.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
The case and bracelet are alternately satin-brushed and polished, and there are bevels everywhere, from the bridges to the bezel, and the result is a 3D effect and makes the sand gold appear to change color depending on the light.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Gradually beat in powdered sugar alternately with 1/3 cup blueberry puree until combined.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alternately.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near alternately
Cite this Entry
“Alternately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternately. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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