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
Had my own middle graders come in from the other room, they would have been alternately horrified, scandalized, and bored.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare alternately colored Pokémon that have been a mainstay in the video game series since the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and have made multiple appearances in the physical Pokémon TCG throughout the years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
These surreal figures alternately struck poses or just took a seat to watch the group… or at least watch a television set that was pictured as being stationed right behind the players.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture alternately with whole milk, beating well after each addition.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternately
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Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare alternately colored Pokémon that have been a mainstay in the video game series since the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and have made multiple appearances in the physical Pokémon TCG throughout the years.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
These surreal figures alternately struck poses or just took a seat to watch the group… or at least watch a television set that was pictured as being stationed right behind the players.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture alternately with whole milk, beating well after each addition.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alternately
Cite this Entry
“Alternately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternately. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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