MUTATION Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

mutation

noun

Definition of mutation

as in modification

a significant and basic change The sculpture series underwent several mutations as the artist experimented with different materials and techniques.

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Dissimilar Words

as in anomaly

something that is a result of a change in the genes of a plant or animal This coloration in the bird's plumage is a rare mutation.

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of mutation In fact, genome doubling is the single most radical mutation an organism can experience in a single generation. — Carrie Arnold contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026 In people with the natural mutation, every cell in the body has the deactivated ANGPTL3 gene. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Translation is a mutation of language, but not direct replication; something happens in the process that shifts the direction of the ideas. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 Rasonque targets a mutation in a gene called KRAS that’s found in nearly all pancreatic cancers. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mutation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation

Noun

The tests analyze modifications to DNA and return a single number that may run higher or lower than the years on your driver’s license.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
In addition, the vehicle was developed using digital twin technology through ESOX OS, allowing for rapid modifications and updates.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of modification

Noun

The report attributed the anomaly to a strong Arctic winter vortex in January and February 2025.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Reatil and quick-service restaurants can audit drive-thru bottlenecks, analyze foot traffic and flag point-of-sale (POS) anomalies.

— Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of anomaly

Noun

The other significant alteration made to the Chabrol source material is that, while Minotaur is mostly seen through the husband’s perspective, Zvyagintsev allows Galina to advocate for herself directly, to say her piece before everything unravels.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Gharials in the wild face significant challenges from fishing practices, pollution and habitat alteration.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of alteration

Noun

With real-world variation, the failure rate that had been a footnote turned into daily operational work.

— Shivansh Inamdar, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Our paper argues that end-to-end AI systems could compress this variation by steering exploration toward what existing data suggest is likely to succeed.

— Julio Ottino, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of variation

Noun

During the Brazilian’s tenure, there has been a significant degree of change well beyond his position and in the manager’s office.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Lawmakers have been eyeing changes like prohibiting lawmakers from dating staff members, updating reporting systems and retaliation protections, and increasing educational and training resources.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of change

Noun

The durability of Meloni’s coalition has been a rarity in postwar Italy, where governments often have fallen before the end of their mandates.

— Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The durability of Meloni’s coalition has been a rarity in postwar Italy, where governments have often fallen before the end of their mandates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of rarity

Noun

Each score is broken down into the processes driving it, showing whether a variant is flagged for splicing, gene expression or protein change.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
The Pro Max packs a 10,000-mAh silicon-carbon battery (with 16% silicon content), while certain markets get a 9,210-mAh variant engineered for the same long-term battery performance.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of variant

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mutating

mutation

mutations

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“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mutation

noun

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