exchange vs alter

exchange is a noun but alter is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
exchange	Yes	No	Yes	No
alter	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, alter is a hypernym of exchange; that is, alter is a word with a broader meaning than exchange:

Other hypernyms of exchange include change, modify.

As verbs, alter is a hypernym of exchange; that is, alter is a word with a broader meaning than exchange:

Other hypernyms of exchange include change, modify.

exchange (noun)	alter (noun)
reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money (especially the currencies of different countries)
the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another:
the act of changing one thing for another thing
the act of giving something in return for something received
(chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value
(chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop
(sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes
a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members
a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication
a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one)
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

exchange (verb)	alter (verb)
exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category	remove the ovaries of
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence	become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
exchange a penalty for a less severe one	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
give to, and receive from, one another	insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items	make an alteration to
hand over one and receive another, approximately equivalent