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Alter Very Common

Alter has 8 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

An identity or headmate of a person with dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder).

"The term alter is an alternative spelling of altar, though it should not be confused with the verb meaning to change."

2

Alternative form of altar.

In plain English: An alter is an old-fashioned word for another person, usually used when talking about someone who has died and become part of heaven or hell.

"The proposed alteration to the building code sparked debate among the city council members."

Verb
1

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

"The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"

"The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"

2

become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

"her mood changes in accordance with the weather"

"The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season"

3

make an alteration to

"This dress needs to be altered"

4

insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby

"The editor altered the original report by inserting false statistics to mislead the readers."

5

remove the ovaries of

"Is your cat spayed?"

6

To change the form or structure of.

"The renovation team altered the structure of the old house to create more open living spaces."

In plain English: To alter means to change something slightly so it is different from before.

"They decided to alter the schedule because the flight was delayed."

Usage: Use alter to mean making small, specific changes rather than complete replacements, which is better expressed by replace. Avoid confusing it with affect when you intend to describe changing someone's emotional state without modifying their physical appearance.

Example Sentences
"The proposed alteration to the building code sparked debate among the city council members." noun
"The sudden alteration in the schedule caused confusion among the passengers." noun
"We need to discuss this matter before it becomes an alter ego for our team's goals." noun
"Her decision was viewed by many as a radical alter of their original plan." noun
"They decided to alter the schedule because the flight was delayed." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
change edit sterilize
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
awaken cause to sleep affect refresh inseminate indispose cry etiolate shade brutalize convert opalize arterialize make counterchange vascularize decrepitate suburbanize revolutionize barbarize alkalinize mythologize allegorize demythologize bring coarsen alchemize alcoholize shape round off suspend sober reconstruct increase ease up assimilate dissimilate commute vitalize unclutter activate inactivate deaden remodel edit tame chasten better worsen wet dry lubricate strengthen spike weaken blunt oxidize unite age ripen antique antiquate develop soften damage ossify acerbate stabilize destabilize sensitize desensitize habituate disorder discolor color stain hue uglify untune adjust set disqualify domesticate widen dehydrogenate hydrogenate oxygenize darken brighten blur obscure cook slenderize crack dissolve end demist condense cool heat warm boil freeze blister switch transpose transform transmute ash translate reform Islamize turn back invert customize personalize depersonalize sharpen flatten disintegrate magnetize demagnetize simplify complicate refine supercharge centralize decentralize socialize fix internationalize communize Europeanize bestialize Americanize Frenchify civilize nationalize denationalize naturalize denaturalize even equal stiffen loosen tighten transitivize detransitivize thicken full diversify decelerate accelerate check decrease liquefy solvate validate invalidate empty fill saturate clot louden normalize morph neutralize commercialize purify mechanize automatize harmonize polarize glorify contaminate devalue insulate calcify urbanize emulsify demulsify decarboxylate nazify fertilize clarify embrittle mark nick disable enable de-emphasize tender charge bubble sweeten iodinate ionate archaize inform officialize occidentalize orientalize acetylate achromatize parallel camp classicize conventionalize decimalize dizzy poison exteriorize glamorize introvert laicize politicize radicalize proof romanticize rusticate sauce shallow tense steepen scramble unscramble unsex vitrify pall saponify extend muddy lift harshen dinge demonize devilize etherealize immaterialize animize clear dynamize rarefy volatilize uniformize symmetrize immortalize denature sanitize verbify shift sputter draw dope prostrate excite shake outmode spice shorten think deflate inflate reflate digitize gelatinize recombine feminize masculinize disharmonize sexualize schematize patent constitutionalize rationalize plasticize paganize incandesce deaminate angulate circularize depolarize intensify isomerize legitimate evaporate industrialize opacify opsonize militarize recommend sentimentalize solemnize territorialize transaminate transfigure unsanctify vesiculate visualize variegate ventilate vivify vulgarise supple professionalize smut still weaponize eroticize piggyback port lifehack cloud confuse tone down obfuscate synchronize mince break down fatten touch dull untie barb string straighten mix put clean dirty lower deform break alter decorate humanize humble estrange right deodorize blind change intensity change taste substitute capture lend restore liberalize democratize corrupt relax flocculate turn cohere alternate crackle modulate avianize move adapt let out take in specialize honeycomb defeminize

Origin

The word "alter" comes from the Old French alterer and Medieval Latin alterāre, meaning "to make other." It ultimately derives from the Latin word alter, which means "the other."

Rhyming Words
ter ater ster tter iter uter citer oater later vater gater after oster enter beter tater miter voter deter opter
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