alternatively
Americanadverb
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as another choice or option.
At the end of the unit, each group of students writes a book review or, alternatively, acts out a short scene from the book.
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in a nonstandard, novel, or unconventional manner or style.
We found significant differences between the traditionally and alternatively certified teachers with regard to classroom experience.
You are not automatically more creative just because you're in an alternatively decorated meeting room.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of alternatively
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Alternatively, they prefer positioning in the 10-30-year or five- to -30-year segments.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Alternatively, a renovation-specific loan to fund both the purchase and improvements is another option; these loans are based on the “after-repair value” rather than its current condition.
From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026
Alternatively, an FLA-JNIM alliance could replace the current government but it would face serious internal tensions.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Alternatively, which banks do you see as particularly shareholder friendly?
From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026
Alternatively, mathematics is sometimes endowed with a coercive character which is somehow capable of determining our future.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
