as in changes
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
colored lights that slowly mutate from green to blue and so on across the color spectrum
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Recent Examples of mutates
Measles mutates slowly enough that researchers can in many cases search for essentially the same strain when tracking its movements.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutates
Verb
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Warsh's theory of inflation is designed to make an essentially bulletproof case for cuts in this economy, unless something changes drastically.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
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In less than an hour, the scenery changes from beach to river gorge to mountain terrain, showing a side of Dalmatia beyond the islands.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here’s how to claim your lottery prize For Indiana Lottery prizes, the claim process varies depending on the prize amount.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
4 Mar. 2026
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Their protein content varies by brand, so check the label.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The law shifts the financial burden of paying brokers from renters to landlords.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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However, for Rose Reese’s return also shifts attention back toward Rose’s postseason outlook.—
D’Joumbarey Moreau,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The average price of new cars fluctuates in the span of a year, but in September, the average price of a new car surpassed $50,000—a record high, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
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The price of Ethereum also fluctuates in the short term due to factors like investor sentiment, media coverage, and new advancements in blockchain usage.—
Ascend Agency,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutates. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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