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.
The story centers on Se-jeong, a biotechnology professor who is attending an industry conference when a fast-mutating virus is released, sending the event into chaos. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026 Operating somewhere between the steamy formlessness of Topdown Dialectic and the tactile throb of Shackleton, Vasin uncovers some of his most distinctive rhythms by mutating the space surrounding his samples. Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026 In an ironic twist, the American president became the regime’s midwife, forcing the old order to mutate and reinvent itself. Boris Muñoz, Time, 3 Apr. 2026 Not just as a video game adaptation, but as a snapshot of cinema mutating in real time. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 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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