alternatively

American  

[awl-tur-nuh-tiv-lee, al-] / ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv li, æl- /

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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

• quasi-alternatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of alternatively

alternative + -ly

Example Sentences

One almost gets a sense that the great doers of history were like robots, temporarily inhabited by an otherworldly spiritual force or, alternatively, were stick figures that Hegel moved about on his grandiose world-historical tableau.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Depending on the president’s decisions, a restructuring could wipe out existing shareholders or alternatively see them realize a return of hundreds of billions of dollars on their investments.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Or would she alternatively feel the moral weight of not having rescued him from his hate?

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2025

"You must allow people to express their views on really controversial topics, because alternatively, there will be no alternative to violence," Mr Ahmed said.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

Contrast Herons have one thing but, in contrast, on the in their favor: they are other hand, alternatively opportunistic hunters.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• sooner
• willingly