mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt  myü-ˈtāt 

mutated; mutating

intransitive verb

: to undergo mutation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation

mutative

ˈmyü-ˌtā-tiv  -tə-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• change
• vary
• shift

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

This dark side to Gen Z’s millennial backlash and desire to relive the turn of the millennium is showing signs of mutating in disturbing and unprecedented directions. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

While major advancements have been made to make pneumonia a survivable illness, the infection is hard to eradicate because it can be caused by a number of different fungi, viruses and bacteria which can mutate into different strains. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2025

Cancer occurs when normal cells mutate and grow uncontrollably. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 17 Oct. 2025

Once dismissed as a Nineties fad, shoegaze has never stopped mutating and expanding as a musical language. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutatus, past participle of mutare

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for mutate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt 

mutated; mutating

: to undergo or cause to undergo mutation

Medical Definition

mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt  myü-ˈ 

mutated; mutating

intransitive verb

: to undergo mutation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation

mutative

ˈmyü-ˌtāt-iv  ˈmyüt-ət- 

adjective