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Showing results for alternately.
Definitions

alternately

ADVERB
by turns
Synonyms
WEAK
in succession one person at a time
ADVERB
instead
Synonyms
STRONG
rather
WEAK
alternative as a substitute in lieu in place of in preference on behalf of on second thought preferably rather than
ADVERB
off and on
Synonyms
WEAK
at intervals at times every once in a while every so often fluctuating from time to time irregularly now and then occasionally on occasion once in a while sometimes sporadically vacillating variably
ADVERB
off-and-on
Synonyms
WEAK
at irregular intervals fluctuating hardly infrequently intermittent irregularly not often on and off scarcely sometimes sporadically vacillating variable very seldom when the mood strikes
ADVERB
on and off
Synonyms
WEAK
at irregular intervals fluctuating inconstantly infrequently intermittently irregularly not often now and then off and on sometimes sporadically uncertainly variable very seldom when the mood strikes
ADVERB
rather
Synonyms
STRONGEST
sooner willingly
WEAK
alternatively as a matter of choice by choice by preference first in lieu of in preference just as soon more readily more willingly much sooner
Antonyms
WEAK
extremely insignificantly little violently
ADVERB
sporadically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
infrequently occasionally periodically
WEAK
again betimes cyclically discontinuously sometimes

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.

The men on these new shows present tortured visions of modern masculinity and the alternately hilarious and horrifying ways things can go awry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Here, rather like the Chicago stockyards, thousands of dairy cows are fed in crowded feedlots by a method called intensive and dry-lot feeding, or, alternately, kept indoors in barns.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

None of that means, mind you, that this alternately idiotic and delusional document — described in that Economist editorial, using an enjoyable Anglo-idiom, as “a dog’s breakfast” — is not dangerous.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

“Christy,” an alternately exuberant and disturbing biopic, charts her path from that moment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

Then he left me there, wandering off sideways through the corn instead of down the rows, alternately whistling and humming a song I didn’t know.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Vocabulary lists containing alternately

Shake It Up: Alter

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Boy 2.0

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When Sea Becomes Sky

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!