mutation

noun

Definition of mutationnext
1
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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2
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 If one copy of a gene contains a harmful mutation, for example, the second copy may still function normally, reducing the likelihood that the mutation will affect the organism. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026 That probably has something to do with Peter waking up in weird situations with his organic spider-mutations happening. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 However, the growing number of patients receiving these treatments still run the risk of passing their disease-causing mutations to their children. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 These compounds help fight free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm DNA and lead to cell mutations. — Kathi Valeii Published, Verywell Health, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation
  1. modification
  2. anomaly
  3. alteration
  4. variation
  5. change
  6. rarity
  7. transformation
  8. variant
Noun
  • The company designed it for installation on existing military vehicles and forward operating positions without requiring extensive modifications to core platform systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • The Implementing Act update introduces operational modifications by member states and industry stakeholders that include simplified declarations for micro and small primary operators.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
Definition of modification
Noun
  • For a war imposing such radical change on the battlefield, the retention of 60-year-old Oleksandr Syrskyi as Ukraine’s top commander had become an anomaly.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • The pause comes as a result of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services audits showing payment anomalies in both states, with reviews in California finding certain in-home care programs exceeding national trends in spending.
    — Bloomberg, Daily News, 21 July 2026
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • The coalition said a data center would need 20 megawatts of power, which the group believes would require significant alterations to the building.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 20 July 2026
Definition of alteration
Noun
  • Data center power infrastructure provider Dimaag, for example, presented in April a way to protect the grid from AI’s massive load variations, which can switch from almost nothing to hundreds of megawatts and back again several times per second.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
  • The oldest depiction of a dragon-like beast dates back at least 4,000 years, and variations of the mythical creature cross cultures and oceans, appearing in ancient Europe, China, and Mesoamerica.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
Definition of variation
Noun
  • Ortega and Murillo further expanded their authority through sweeping constitutional changes that took effect in 2025.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • The local media business has seen major changes in recent years with the massive growth in social media, YouTube, Spotify and TikTok as competition for eyeballs.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of change
Noun
  • That was true from the early stages — when the standings bore greater resemblance to 2024 than 2025, a rarity compared with most of baseball history.
    — Neil Paine, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • That rarity matters because earnings bubbles carry a detection problem that valuation bubbles don’t.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • Its decades-long transformation was driven by a long-term strategic plan that involved partnerships between business and government to drive investment in infrastructure, skills and education, Leese told CNN.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The next enterprise transformation is not another technology implementation.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of transformation
Noun
  • This variant ups the complexity of stout with the spiciness of rye and a toasty oak sweetness.
    — Don Tse, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Archer plans to announce the first customers for the commercial variant later this week, the company said in a release.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of variant

Browse Nearby Words

mutating
mutation
mutations
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Cite this Entry

“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mutation

Nglish: Translation of mutation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mutation

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