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
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Recent Examples of mutation
The researchers combed the data for mutations that may have caused the tumors to form and found that cancer-causing genes in cats are strikingly similar in number and variety to those in humans.
—
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026
His mutation is associated with a neurotransmitter receptor found throughout the body, including in parts of the brain that are active during REM sleep and wakefulness.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
As a result, the mutation can be unknowingly passed down from generation to generation, without carriers being aware of the real consequences.
—Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Liu’s laboratory designed a crucial component of the therapy — the base editor to fix KJ’s mutation.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutation
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026
His mutation is associated with a neurotransmitter receptor found throughout the body, including in parts of the brain that are active during REM sleep and wakefulness.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
As a result, the mutation can be unknowingly passed down from generation to generation, without carriers being aware of the real consequences.
—Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Liu’s laboratory designed a crucial component of the therapy — the base editor to fix KJ’s mutation.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation
Noun
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From an engineering perspective, this process can be conceptualized as a self-replicating firmware update that spreads through a network of nodes; however, the network in this case is a population, and the firmware update is a genomic modification.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
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The modification was pushed by state legislator Norma López, a member of President Claudia Sheinbaum's Morena party, and a number of other lawmakers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The program has made other discoveries related to such exceptionally healthy older brains, from personality traits to neurological anomalies.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
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Was that just an anomaly or a sign of future positive movement?—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Throttle and transmission shifts have been tweaked for sharper response, while chassis alterations aim to improve handling and steering feel.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
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The challenge, led by Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, argues Kennedy’s vaccine panel appointments and alterations to the immunization schedule were unlawful.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Due to its technical depth and flexibility across reactor types, the system captures physical changes such as density shifts, material aging, dimensional changes, and isotopic or chemical variations.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
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Certain configurations—such as a very large moon orbiting a relatively low-mass planet—should produce timing variations that could be detected in existing data, although nontransiting planets can induce similar signals, complicating the exomoon search.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night, the President urged lawmakers to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America, Act, a bill that would require voters to provide proof of citizenship and photo identification to cast ballots in all 50 states, among other changes.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
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The agency would not say when this change was made, and recent training documents provided to Congress by a whistleblower do not reflect 12-hour days.—
Blake Ellis,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Clarke notes that while War Child has a presence in the live arena (their BRITs Week shows raise substantial funds for the charity), the dynamics of the music industry has changed and that compilation LPs are something of a rarity.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2026
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Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The transformation of Tarocchi into a divinatory tool began in the late 18th century, driven by the rise of occultism in France.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
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The Beauty actress took the peroxide to the next level over New Year’s Eve, showing off her lightest hair color yet in Aspen with a white-blonde transformation.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That event is also a variant on an annual festival that happens in the park every summer, Hartford Bonanza, which is produced by the same organization that does First Night Hartford.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2026
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Genetic divergence thresholds are commonly used in herpetology and broader taxonomy to evaluate whether a population represents a distinct species or merely a variant within an existing one.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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