mutate

verb

mutated; mutating
Synonyms of mutatenext

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation
mutative adjective

Examples of mutate in a Sentence

a disease that mutates genes in humans a group of mutated genes Over time, her feelings mutated from hatred into love. opera singers mutating into pop stars
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over evolutionary time, this theory goes, one of those copies mutated and evolved to give rise to a second photosystem that uses oxygen to harvest energy more efficiently. Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026 In the work, every time there was a tremor, the landscape would mutate, almost accelerating from summer to autumn and back again. Pablo Larios, Artforum, 10 June 2026 As long as Wembanyama continues to mutate, San Antonio will stick. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026 Both variants cause very similar symptoms, even though the virus is known to mutate rapidly, Yancey said. NBC news, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mutate

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutatus, past participle of mutare

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutate was in 1818

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mutate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

mutate

verb
mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt How to pronounce mutate (audio)
mutated; mutating
: to undergo or cause to undergo mutation

Medical Definition

mutate

verb
mutated; mutating

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation
mutative adjective

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