Synonyms for

Alter

Verb / ˈɔ:ltɜ: / Another word for alter — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to make a change or adjustment to something

Synonyms & similar words

castrate neuter falsify spay modify vary change interpolate change modify adjust revise adapt transform convert amend edit revamp rework tweak vary reshape redo rearrange reconstruct refashion reorganize renovate

Synonyms by register

Formal

modify amend revise adjust

Informal

change tweak mess with fudge

Literary

transmute transform reshape

Antonyms

maintain preserve keep remain stabilize conserve uphold

Common collocations

  • alter the course
  • alter the outcome
  • alter the plan
  • alter the situation
  • alter the agreement
  • alter the appearance
  • alter the structure

Word family

noun alteration
verb alter
adjective alterable

Usage note

While 'alter' can mean to change something slightly, it can also imply a more significant change. Be mindful of the context to convey the intended degree of modification.

Example sentences

  1. I need to alter my dress for the wedding.
  2. The chef altered the recipe to make it healthier.
  3. The weather can alter our plans.
  4. The teacher asked us to alter our essays.
  5. I want to alter the color of my hair.

Quotes

  • We cannot alter the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
  • The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. - Alan Watts
  • The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. - Albert Einstein

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