alter

alter Definition

al·ter (ôl′tər)

transitive verb

Etymology: ME alteren < ML alterare < L alter, other < IE *al- (see else) + -tero-, compar. suffix

intransitive verb

to become different; change; vary

alter Related Forms

al′·ter·able adjective

alter Synonyms

To change for a purpose
modify, adjust, remodel, reconstruct; see change 1.
To castrate or spay
castrate, spay, neuter, desex, geld, sterilize, asexualize, emasculate, caponize, mutilate, fix*.
To become different
change, develop, decay; see change 4. See syn. study at change.

alter Usage Examples

Object

ego: As you develop your alter ego, the world reacts to you and your actions.
perception: Production values can acutely alter audience perception of this scene.
balance: Food campaigners Sustain and the Mental Health Foundation said the way food was now produced had altered the balance of key nutrients people consume.
composition: Any such changes are unlikely to significantly alter the fundamental composition of the SAC series.
setting: You will need to alter the settings on your particular software to gain access.
appearance: You can also buy vinyl printed sheets to alter the appearance of your bin.

Modifying Another Word

radically: The outside of the Church was also radically altered.
genetically: For example, UK approval of genetically altered soya was based solely on safety data collected by Monsanto who produce the product.
fundamentally: I believe that the two Bills, taken together can fundamentally alter the landscape of domestic energy for the better " .
drastically: Having been men, mice became mice, drastically altering the food chain, bringing to life spoons.
dramatically: A barrage could supply much of South Wales and the West Country, but would dramatically alter the local environment.
significantly: Any such changes are unlikely to significantly alter the fundamental composition of the SAC series.

Used with why or when

when: Each time someone new enters the stage the atmosphere is subtly altered and is altered again when they leave.

Infinitive complement

accommodate: The width of individual columns can be altered to accommodate longer or shorter fields.
suit: Answer: To an extent, our cards can be altered to suit your own personal taste.
reflect: The internal connectivity of the mesh is also altered to reflect this new local structure.
fit: Evolution requires species to alter to fit new surroundings.
co-ordinate: All designs can be altered to co-ordinate with your theme and color scheme.

Present participle complement

exist: In addition, you can add extra email boxes, or alter existing ones via a simple window.

Preposition: without

permission: We ask only that it not be altered without permission, sold, or used for commercial purposes.

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