mutant

adjective

mu·​tant ˈmyü-tᵊnt How to pronounce mutant (audio)
: of, relating to, or produced by mutation
mutant noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This new era, which continues with the current sequel series Knights of X, passed the mantle of Captain Britain from Brian to his twin sister, Betsy (a mutant psychic and X-Men team member who had previously used the codename Psylocke). Christian Holub, EW.com, 21 July 2022 Recent genetic analysis has turned up no evidence that a single new mutant version of the virus is to blame, said Dr. Umesh Parashar, chief of the CDC group focused on viral gut diseases. Mike Stobbe, Anchorage Daily News, 23 May 2022 Based on Sony/Naughty Dog’s acclaimed Playstation game, the TV series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been ravaged by a mutant fungus that can turn its hosts into horrific cannibals. Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2022 The new picture combines Nishimura’s signature body horror mutant characters, extravagant costumes, satirical humor and blood-splattering samurai sword-gun fights. Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 May 2023 The immune system attacks and kills mutant cells in most cases. Monika Joshi, The Conversation, 1 May 2023 The team then manipulated these mutant worms by restoring the NPR-19 receptor, and the nematodes got the munchies again. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Apr. 2023 After her bubbly character dies in the pilot, Plaza returns as the mutant Shadow King in a role that seems like a dare at times. Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2023 In the early 2000s, researchers developed mutant flies with olfactory neurons that respond to light. Dana Mackenzie, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutant-, mutans, present participle of mutare

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutant was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near mutant

Cite this Entry

“Mutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutant. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

mutant

1 of 2 adjective
mu·​tant
ˈmyüt-ᵊnt
: of, relating to, or produced by mutation

mutant

2 of 2 noun
: a mutant individual

Medical Definition

mutant

1 of 2 adjective
mu·​tant ˈmyüt-ᵊnt How to pronounce mutant (audio)
: of, relating to, or produced by mutation

mutant

2 of 2 noun
: a mutant individual

More from Merriam-Webster on mutant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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