Synonyms for alter
ˈɔl təral·ter

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alterverb

   To change is distinctively to make a thing other than it has been, in some respect at least; to exchange to put or take something else in its place; to alter is ordinarily to change partially, to make different in one or more particulars. To exchange is often to transfer ownership; as, to exchange city for country property. Change is often used in the sense of exchange; as, to change horses. To transmute is to change the qualities while the substance remains the same; as, to transmute the baser metals into gold. To transform is to change form or appearance, with or without deeper and more essential change; it is less absolute than transmute, tho sometimes used for that word, and is often used in a spiritual sense as transmute could not be; "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," Rom. xii, 2. Transfigure is, as in its Scriptural use, to change in an exalted and glorious spiritual way; "Jesus ... was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light," Matt. xvii, 1, 2. To metamorphose is to make some remarkable change, ordinarily in external qualities, but often in structure, use, or chemical constitution, as of a caterpillar into a butterfly, of the stamens of a plant into petals, or of the crystalline structure of rocks, hence called "metamorphic rocks," as when a limestone is metamorphosed into a marble. To vary is to change from time to time, often capriciously. To commute is to put something easier, lighter, milder, or in some way more favorable in place of that which is commuted; as, to commute capital punishment to imprisonment for life; to commute daily fares on a railway to a monthly payment. To convert (Latin con, with, and verto, turn) is to primarily turn about, and signifies to change in form, character, use, etc., through a wide range of relations; iron is converted into steel, joy into grief, a sinner into a saint. To turn is a popular word for change in any sense short of the meaning of exchange, being often equivalent to alter, convert, transform, transmute, etc. We modify or qualify a statement which might seem too strong; we modify it by some limitation, qualify it by some addition.

   Synonyms:
   change, change, commute, convert, diversify, exchange, metamorphose, modify, qualify, shift, substitute, transfigure, transform, transmute, turn, vary, veer

   Antonyms:
   abide, bide, continue, endure, hold, keep, persist, remain, retain, stay

   Preposition:
   To change a home toilet for a street dress; to change from a caterpillar to or into a butterfly; to change clothes with a beggar.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. alter

   Synonyms:
   substitute, change, vary, modify, exchange, diversify, remodel

   Antonyms:
   retain, perpetuate, conserve, stereotype, arrest, solidify, stabilitate

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. change, alter, modifyverb

   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"

   Synonyms:
   change, interchange, interpolate, modify, vary, qualify, commute, shift, exchange, neuter, falsify, castrate, spay, convert, switch, transfer, deepen

2. change, alter, varyverb

   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"

   Synonyms:
   change, interchange, variegate, interpolate, motley, modify, vary, commute, shift, exchange, neuter, falsify, castrate, spay, depart, convert, switch, transfer, deviate, diverge, deepen

3. alterverb

   make an alteration to

   "This dress needs to be altered"

   Synonyms:
   change, vary, modify, spay, neuter, falsify, interpolate, castrate

4. interpolate, alter, falsifyverb

   insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby

   Synonyms:
   warp, fudge, interpolate, misrepresent, cook, extrapolate, modify, vary, manipulate, spay, wangle, neuter, falsify, castrate, distort, garble, fake, change

5. alter, neuter, spay, castrateverb

   remove the ovaries of

   "Is your cat spayed?"

   Synonyms:
   change, vary, modify, demasculinise, demasculinize, expurgate, bowdlerize, shorten, spay, neuter, falsify, emasculate, interpolate, castrate, bowdlerise

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Edit
   • Sterilize

Editors ContributionRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. change

   Submitted by anonymous on April 2, 2020  

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. alterverb

   Synonyms:
   change (partially), vary, modify, shift, turn, transmute, metamorphose, transform, convert, make some change in

2. alterverb

   Synonyms:
   vary, change, be changeable

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 1 vote

1. alterverb

   Synonyms:
   change, geld, castrate

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "alter":

   amend, modify, change, modifying, affect, altar, vary, impair, tamper, changing, edit

How to pronounce alter?

How to say alter in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use alter in a sentence?

1. Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett:

   We need more of these drugs in order to make them alter the course of the pandemic and reduce hospitalization.

2. Bob Menendez:

   If diplomats can negotiate for two-years on this issue, then certainly Congress is entitled to a review period of an agreement that will fundamentally alter our relationship with Iran and the sanctions imposed by Congress, the best outcome remains a good deal that ends Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program. That requires a strong, united, and bipartisan approach from the administration and Congress.

3. Edward Mills:

   The coming rules have the potential to fundamentally alter the product that banks can offer and could significantly limit a large source of fee revenue for banks.

4. John Quincy Adams:

   Facts are stubborn things and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

5. Sharon Salzberg:

   Life is like and ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.