altered

adjective

al·​tered ˈȯl-tərd 

1

: made different in some way

… she addressed me again, speaking in very altered tones; so altered, that I hardly recognised them as hers.

—Wilkie Collins

… no great change had taken place inside him, but his exterior was visibly altered.

—Booth Tarkington

2

: castrated sense 1a

I've noticed that my altered cats and my older cats have more dandruff than the unaltered and younger ones.

—Susie Page

Examples of altered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The viewing experience can feel like slipping into an altered fugue state, time suspended entirely. —Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025

However, speculation about an altered version of the flag appearing on government websites has fueled conspiracy theories. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

But for its part, the government is ramping up its judicial overhaul, albeit in altered form. —Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2025

Rumors have circulated online suggesting that the U.S. flag was changed in 2025, with some pointing to images of altered banners on government websites as evidence. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of alter

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for altered

• unaltered
• faltered