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
About 10% of CF patients aren’t eligible for the current medications because of side effects or particular mutations.
—
Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 15 Mar. 2026
What’s happening is that these populations have increased so dramatically that there have been many opportunities for mutations to occur and even for the limited genes retained during the bottleneck to group in different ways.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Mar. 2026
In August, global health authorities noticed that a mutation of an influenza virus called ‘Subclade K’ was spreading quickly in other countries.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
This can be done by using molecular testing and then delivering individualized multi-drug treatments for specific tumor mutations, according to a statement from UC San Diego Health.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 15 Mar. 2026
What’s happening is that these populations have increased so dramatically that there have been many opportunities for mutations to occur and even for the limited genes retained during the bottleneck to group in different ways.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Mar. 2026
In August, global health authorities noticed that a mutation of an influenza virus called ‘Subclade K’ was spreading quickly in other countries.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
This can be done by using molecular testing and then delivering individualized multi-drug treatments for specific tumor mutations, according to a statement from UC San Diego Health.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation
Noun
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And falling into just following a viral recipe, but not making other modifications, doesn't actually support baseline and metabolic health.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
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The fight over those changes - responsible for weeks of turmoil in the House - ultimately resulted in limited modifications that failed to satisfy privacy hawks.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The scale of the anomalies and news reports that showed the lavish lifestyles and fleets of expensive European cars of some of the suspects sparked huge anti-corruption protests last year in a country where millions still live in appalling poverty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The Anthropic episode risks being not an anomaly, but a preview.—
Robert F. Dees,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a 5-footer, my favorite part is that the pants are available in a petite-friendly inseam, along with four other inseam options, limiting the need for alterations.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Together, these alterations reveal that our sense of bodily self is not rigid but can be reshaped, at least for a short time, by changing the information the brain receives.—
Utkarsh Gupta,
Scientific American,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There will be seasonal vegetable variations too.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Jalen Brunson knows any variation of offensive plays featuring both him and All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns can be difficult, nearly impossible for opposing defenses to guard.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Families of the victims pleaded with the judge to deny bail and ultimately, there were no changes in bail for any of the defendants.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Cindy Long told ABC that the administration’s changes will only build on prior policy wins.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The space is also adorned with vitrines showcasing jewelry by David Webb, Boucheron, and René Boivin, as well as other rarities, like an asteroid fragment and a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Apr. 2026
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Now, their rarity might be giving sedans the same effect.—
Robert Ferris,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The jaw-dropping transformations prompted a hilarious running joke in the comments section from viewers seeking glow-ups of their own.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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The firms driving that transformation are among the most profitable in history.—
Nicolas S. Rohatyn,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As if its flagship naked motorcycle didn't already pose enough risk to life and limb, KTM's gone and upped the ante with a limited edition variant.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Apr. 2026
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Moving this delicate variant to Broadway posed a risk.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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