Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Alterative · Al·ter·a·tive · IPA /ˈɔl.tɚˌaɪ.tɪv/ a. n. 01 a. Causing ateration. 1. Causing ateration. 02 n. A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations. 1. A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations.