mutagen

noun

mu·​ta·​gen ˈmyü-tə-jən 

: an agent (such as a chemical or various radiations) that tends to increase the frequency or extent of mutation

mutagenic

ˌmyü-tə-ˈje-nik 

adjective

mutagenically

ˌmyü-tə-ˈje-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of mutagen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fragrances are non-toxic and free of phthalates, parabens, mutagens, VOCs and carcinogens. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Sleep deprivation, ultraviolet radiation and mutagens increased neuronal DNA damage and sleep pressure, the study notes. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026

According to the studies the EPA reviewed in that analysis, chloroprene is probably a mutagen—an agent that can damage DNA or trigger genetic mutations. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2025

Radiation is not unlike a lot of mutagens and other kinds of events that damage your DNA or damage your body’s immune system. — Nicholas Stfleur, STAT, 16 Feb. 2024

Cigarette smoke certainly contains mutagens—more than sixty have been identified—and, by extension, carcinogens. — Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023

That theory was born out more or less at concentrations of the mutagen below 100 mM. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2011

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary mutation + -gen

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mutagen

noun

mu·​ta·​gen ˈmyüt-ə-jən 

: a substance (as a chemical or various radiations) that tends to increase the frequency or extent of mutation