alternating
Taking turns repeatedly
Alternating describes something that switches back and forth between two states, positions, or conditions in regular succession.
Alternating current reverses direction periodically, unlike direct current.
An alternating pattern of stripes changes color with each stripe.
They worked alternating weekends.
The rhythm implies regularity—not random switching but a predictable back-and-forth.
Occurring at intervals
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- pulsingBeating with rhythm
episodic · discontinuous · on-and-off · cyclical · recurrent · wavering · oscillating · stop-and-go
Alternating reciprocal motion
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
- turn-takingAlternating speaker roles
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- mutualShared between parties
rotating · sequential · trading · relay · handoff · reciprocating · seesaw · pendulum
Two-position switch
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- on-offHaving two states only
binary · switching · trigger · bipolar · multiplexer · sequential · rotation · changeover
Electrical current or cooling
- currentDirected flow of charge
- sinusoidalWave-patterned, mathematically regular
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- hertzFrequency measurement unit
phase · waveform · voltage · amplitude · cycle · inverter · transformer · generator
Parallel linear markings
- checkerboardAlternating square pattern
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- rowsSide-by-side sequences
- layersStacked levels or coatings
bands · sequence · repeating · rhythm · staggered · interleaved · interspersed · tessellation
periodic
Occurring at intervals
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
pulsing · episodic · discontinuous · on-and-off · cyclical · recurrent · wavering · oscillating · stop-and-go · fitful
back-and-forth
Alternating reciprocal motion
- give-and-takeMutual concession between parties
- turn-takingAlternating speaker roles
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
mutual · rotating · sequential · trading · relay · handoff · reciprocating · seesaw · pendulum · volley
toggle
Two-position switch
- flip-flopSudden change of position
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
on-off · binary · switching · trigger · bipolar · multiplexer · sequential · rotation · changeover · shift
AC
Electrical current or cooling
- currentDirected flow of charge
- sinusoidalWave-patterned, mathematically regular
- frequencyRate of recurrence
hertz · phase · waveform · voltage · amplitude · cycle · inverter · transformer · generator · motor
stripes
Parallel linear markings
- checkerboardAlternating square pattern
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- rowsSide-by-side sequences
layers · bands · sequence · repeating · rhythm · staggered · interleaved · interspersed · tessellation · weave
- arrangementsarrangement, orchestration, arranged, array, configuration
- intermittentintermittent, sporadic, periodic, on-off, discontinuous
- checkerboardchess, checkers, draughts, squares, grid
- taking turnswait, waiting, rotation, rotate, queue
- alternating patternscheckerboard, stripes, zigzag, toggle, flip-flop
- electrical stateson, off, live, dead, energized
alternatingconstant
Fixed, unvarying quantity
steady · unchanging · uniform · invariable · fixed
alternatingcontinuous
Without pause or gap
uninterrupted · unbroken · perpetual · sustained · ceaseless
alternatingdirect
Undeviating or to guide
DC · direct current · unidirectional · steady-state · nonalternating
- no alternativeSole available course
- alternative routeSecondary path available
- alternative universeHypothetical divergent reality
- alternative rockNon-mainstream guitar-driven genre
- alternating currentPeriodically reversing electrical flow
- alternative energyNon-fossil fuel sources
alternative, alternatives, alternatively, alternation, alternations, alternating current