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• alter
  alter

  verb (used with object)

  to make different in some particular, as size, style, course, or the like; modify.
• Alter
  Alter

  noun

  David, 1807–81, U.S. physicist.
• alter.
  alter.

  abbreviation

  alteration.

alter

¹ American  

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /

verb (used with object)

• alters,
  present (3rd person singular)
• altered,
  past participle,  past
• altering
  present participle

1. to make different in some particular, as size, style, course, or the like; modify.

   to alter a coat; to alter a will; to alter course.

2. to castrate or spay.

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verb (used without object)

• alters,
  present (3rd person singular)
• altered,
  past participle,  past
• altering
  present participle

1. to change; become different or modified.

Alter ² American  

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /

noun

1. David, 1807–81, U.S. physicist.

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alter. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. alteration.

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alter British  

/ ˈɔːltə /

verb

1. to make or become different in some respect; change

2. informal (tr) a euphemistic word for castrate spay

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Usage

What is another way to say alter?

To alter something is to make it different in some particular way, such as in size, style, or course. How does alter compare to change? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Synonym Usage

See adjust,

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• alterability
  noun
• alterer
  noun
• realter
  verb
• prealter
  verb (used with object)
• alterable
  adjective
• half-altered
  adjective
• unaltering
  adjective
• well-altered
  adjective
• alterably
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• altering
  present
• altered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• alter
  simple
• alters
  simple
• have altered
  perfect
• has altered
  perfect
• am altering
  progressive
• are altering
  progressive
• is altering
  progressive
• have been altering
  perfect progressive
• has been altering
  perfect progressive

Past

• altered
  simple
• had altered
  perfect
• was altering
  progressive
• were altering
  progressive
• had been altering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will alter
  simple
• will have altered
  perfect
• will be altering
  progressive
• will have been altering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of alter

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French alterer, from Late Latin alterāre “to change, worsen,” derivative of Latin alter “other”

Explanation

After eating too many gingerbread cookies, she no longer fit into her uniform, so she had a seamstress alter it. It looked pretty much the same. The verb alter can also mean to neuter or spay. Think of a cat that has just been spayed: the cat you pick up from the vet is the same cat that you dropped off there, only perhaps a little groggy and unable to reproduce. While the cat has been altered, it's not a different cat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alter Alter alter. alters altered altering

The new BLS estimate doesn’t alter the picture of what economists call a “low-hire, low-fire” labor market.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026

Ironically, though, attacking alter egos narrowly could require more probing than enabled by the proposal now apparently under consideration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

He rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder for lawmakers to alter measures approved by voters, saying it was unconstitutional.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

But, on its own, this won't dramatically alter the course of the war.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

How silly she had been to think that time, distance, or anything else would ever alter her friendship with Miss Mortimer!

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

A longtime writer on green architecture, Alter believes that the most sustainable building is the one that remains useful the longest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Caroline Alter isn’t really a flower person, but ended up paying $55,000 for them anyway.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

“To the extent we think oxygen is the golden nugget to live on earth, our use of oxygen is really important,” Alter told Barron’s.

From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026

Another new festival coming to Wales is Blackbird - a rock event at Cardiff Castle on 27 June, with acts including Skindred, Alter Bridge and Cardinal Black.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

“The workers are finished. Alter the Gathering and this year’s Song, you’ll be able to start dyeing new threads for the robe.”

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry

"No-one ever thought it would alter. Their way of life was constant and familiar, as it had been as long as anyone could remember."

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2021

Both 4to 1679 and 1724 read'false souly', which I have ventured to alter. p.

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume II by Montague Summers

Infant formula is designed to provide the correct balance of nutrients for babies when mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed, and adding extra water alters that balance.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

The change significantly alters the players’ preparation, starting with meal times, Aguirre told Mexican radio.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

Moreover, the repeal of this rule substantially alters settlement dynamics.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026

"As climate change alters wind patterns and ocean flows, wind stress and currents could change the direction of energy flux. Understanding the forces that create this change can lead to more accurate models."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

Much as a real mirror introduces changes of its own and does not reflect the simple truth, so this one alters the way the girl looks, revealing a deeper reality.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Landscapes will also be altered as the climate of many American and European cities comes to resemble cities hundreds of miles south.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

The California attorney general has also issued a warning to parents, and retailers, that bicycles that are altered to exceed state limitations are no longer considered legal to ride on the streets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

"Once it is cut up by deep ruts, the water balance can be altered for years degrading habitat and reducing carbon storage," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

By comparison, 90 minutes of continuous moderate cycling altered less than one-quarter of one percent.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

I pushed by the deputy, opened the door, and saw that the entire courtroom had been altered.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

New research suggests the gene variant may begin altering brain activity well before memory problems become noticeable.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

He said what happened with Afropunk is “a tale as old as time” and Morgan being outside of the movement led to “moneyed interests” altering what Spooner had created.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

"Our findings suggest that the life history of blood stem cells could influence the risk of brain diseases by altering the microglia," Jaiswal said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Second, they called on the government to put greater consideration into the crimes committed by prisoners when altering their sentences.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

“Don’t look—” she said, not altering her pace.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• adjust
• amend
• change
• develop
• modify
• reshape
• revamp
• revise
• shift
• transform
• vary