Usage Note
Autrement has two main uses: 'in a different way' (pense autrement — think differently) and 'otherwise, or else' as a conjunction-like adverb (dépêche-toi, autrement tu seras en retard — hurry up, otherwise you'll be late). Autrement dit (in other words) is a very common discourse marker in formal and everyday French.
Examples
"Autrement, nous allons rater le train."
Natural Translation
Otherwise, we are going to miss the train.

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