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alter

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /




Usage

What is another way to say alter? To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, while still preserving the identity: to alter a dress, as by raising the hem (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one). To change is to make a material difference so that something is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"The proposed ⁠sale of this equipment and support will not alter the military ⁠balance in the region," the state department added.

From BBC Sep. 18, 2026

But the online attention had yet to alter Walters’ fate.

From Slate Sep. 17, 2026

Voluntary standards would primarily raise costs for participating laboratories, government rules could alter competition between companies and jurisdictions, and an enforceable industrywide agreement would have the broadest implications for chip demand and capital spending.

From MarketWatch Sep. 15, 2026

Xinyue Lu, a doctoral student in Computational Biology who co-led the research, described the system as a computational test bed that can be used to explore how changes in genome folding might alter gene activity.

From Science Daily Sep. 13, 2026

The blaze did minimal damage, but he filed a claim for $6,000 on a policy acquired by his fictional alter ego, Hiram S. Campbell.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Whether the latest upswing in crude prices alters their longer-term outlook remains to be seen, as Brent’s return to triple digits sends government bond yields higher.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 15, 2026

In her version, Bernhard alters the lyrics to pay tribute to Sylvester, whose untimely death left an immense legacy.

From Salon Sep. 5, 2026

The process also alters many of the tea's naturally occurring compounds.

From Science Daily Jun. 23, 2026

I interviewed Christo in 2011, and he was eloquent about how his and his wife’s work alters perceptions of nature, and about the deliberately transient character of the art itself.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 20, 2026

Yes, urged foreign minister Shigenori Togo, because America’s atomic bomb “drastically alters the whole military situation.”

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Each El Niño of yore that put this broad basin underwater had a different character because each cut loose on an evolving L.A., a place altered in part by floods and changed because of them.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 17, 2026

The researchers interpreted those findings as evidence that the sweetener was being chemically altered inside the animals.

From Science Daily Sep. 14, 2026

Kuzichkin and Mr. McCredie followed similar paths on opposite sides of the ideological divide, only to forge a partnership that, the author argues, could have altered the course of history.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 14, 2026

Warren also raised questions about Taylor Farms’ political contributions and lobbying, though her letter did not establish that those connections altered the government’s response.

From Salon Sep. 13, 2026

If the splendor inside Adiah was what had altered her appearance, then perhaps...

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Two of Ballmer’s top executives were also sanctioned, altering the way the team will have to operate moving forward.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 14, 2026

Experts estimated that close to 400,000 people remain at risk from a myriad of life altering ailments.

From Salon Sep. 11, 2026

This includes for things like replacing windows or altering roofs.

From BBC Sep. 9, 2026

People across income brackets are still traveling, but many are altering their behaviors to make vacations fit into their budget, Wynn says.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 28, 2026

The Wart found that he could keep more or less level by altering the inclination of his arm fins and the ones on his stomach.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White




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