alter — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To change the form or structure of.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Synonyms

   tweak

   Examples

   Near-synonym: tweak

   No power in Venice can alter a decree.

   More examples (3)

   Lou's not Times foole, though roſie lips and cheeks VVithin his bending ſickles compaſſe come, Loue alters not with his breefe houres and vveekes, But beares it out euen to the edge of doome: If this be error and vpon me proued, I neuer vvrit, nor no man euer loued.

   My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

   It gilds all objects, but it alters none.

2. To become different.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   […] Passing the song of the hermit bird and the tallying song of my soul, / Victorious song, death’s outlet song, yet varying ever-altering song, […]

   All of these statistics are expected to alter, however, as they are altering in nearly all demographic areas.

3. To tailor clothes to make them fit.

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).

   Usage

   • Transitive

5. To affect mentally, as by psychotropic drugs or illness.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   We don't know if he was altered on alcohol or drugs or anything […]

Noun

1. One of the personalities, identities, or selves in a person with dissociative identity disorder or another form of multiplicity.

   Synonyms

   headmate

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   While the second goal would be best met if each alter were coconscious, the defendant should be satisfied if at least one competent alter is present to hear what transpires.

Verb

1. cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

   Synonyms

   changemodify

   Broader terms

   inducestimulatecausehavegetmake

   Examples

   The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city

   The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue

2. become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

   Synonyms

   changevary

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   her mood changes in accordance with the weather

   The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season

3. make an alteration to

   Broader terms

   changemodify

   Examples

   This dress needs to be altered

4. insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby

   Synonyms

   interpolatefalsify

   Broader terms

   editredact

5. remove the ovaries of

   Synonyms

   neuterspaycastrate

   Broader terms

   sterilizesterilisedesexunsexdesexualizedesexualisefix

   Examples

   Is your cat spayed?