verb

alternate

to alternate, to take turns, to switch

We alternate driving on long trips.

We alternate driving on long trips.

Day and night alternate.

Day and night alternate.

He alternates kindness with cruelty.

He alternates kindness with cruelty.

((sth.)) ((with sth.)) to switch one thing with another He alternates kindness with cruelty.

((between sth. and sth.)) to switch between two states She alternates between hope and despair.

Synonyms: take turns, rotate, switch

From Latin 'alternare' (to do one thing then another), from 'alter' (other).

Think of 'alter' (other) + 'nate'. You are taking turns with the 'other' person or thing.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.