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.

Related Words

Relevance

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.

Related Words

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 The mutation, at a location called G155E, cropped up after strains were already selected for this year’s flu shots, Greninger said. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 When he was diagnosed, there were less than 10 people known to have the mutation, his parents said. — Ciara McCarthy 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 The medicine is an individualized therapy that attacks the unique mutations, called neoantigens, found in a patient’s tumor. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 The dostarlimab approval means more patients whose tumors have specific mutations could avoid those aggressive therapies altogether. — Alice Park, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mutation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation

Noun

According to information available, Max incorporates several modifications to Fourier’s existing designs, including changes to its body proportions, head, display, and camera arrangement.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
In addition to the 30 positions set to be eliminated, the organizational modifications will also include shifts to department structures, personnel and responsibilities, as well as the creation of several new positions, the statement said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of modification

Noun

The Nature of Introspection The bigger, thornier question is whether anomaly detection should count as introspection.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
In these regions, the predominant ailments are HIV/AIDS, premature birth and birth trauma, congenital anomalies and injuries.

— Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of anomaly

Noun

Mahendra said the suspects would be charged under Article 258 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code, which prohibits the unlawful interception, recording, diversion, alteration, obstruction or monitoring of nonpublic electronic communications.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Weber has joined state Attorney General Rob Bonta in challenging local election changes in court, including Huntington Beach's voter ID law and Shasta County's Measure B, which proposed significant alterations to voting and ballot counting.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of alteration

Noun

People heading into the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period with plans to sign up for insurance should expect a variety of changes in 2027, including higher premiums and fewer coverage options.

— Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The second-generation prototype, Max 2, is expected to incorporate several hardware changes.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of change

Noun

Bryant’s size 14 pair is not only game-worn, but autographed on both the left and right shoe, which is somewhat of a rarity in the autographed memorabilia space.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
The six gems have not been treated or enhanced, a rarity in the market, per Julian’s, and each has been certified and authenticated by the American Gemological Laboratories.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rarity

Noun

The outcome was part of a sweeping election-night transformation that also saw Republicans lose two state House seats, a state Senate seat and all three school board contests.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
For AnnaSophia Robb, who plays Stallone's first wife Sasha, Ippolito’s transformation seemed almost effortless.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of transformation

Noun

Why, what about a limited-run variant based on the wishes of a Formula 1 driver?

— Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
Would the company be taking a different approach to the immense technical challenges of getting Starship to the Moon, perhaps with a stubby Starship variant?

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of variant

Browse Nearby Words

mutating

mutation

mutations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of mutation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on mutation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quondam

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes