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 mutation, known as Subclade K, now makes up most of the flu viruses detected in the United States.
—
Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Still, some individuals with CHIP have a significantly higher risk of developing blood cancers than others, including people with high risk mutations like TP53 or with large CHIP clones.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
One of those, H3N2, has been present for decades, according to the CDC and the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, but its most recent mutation is different enough that the vaccine made to target H3N2 for the 2025-2026 season is not as effective against it.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Confronting such dramatic mutations requires interpretive and historical learning and the willingness to perceive politics as a dense field of meanings, not something to be flattened into numbers or variables on a graph.
—Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Still, some individuals with CHIP have a significantly higher risk of developing blood cancers than others, including people with high risk mutations like TP53 or with large CHIP clones.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
One of those, H3N2, has been present for decades, according to the CDC and the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, but its most recent mutation is different enough that the vaccine made to target H3N2 for the 2025-2026 season is not as effective against it.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Confronting such dramatic mutations requires interpretive and historical learning and the willingness to perceive politics as a dense field of meanings, not something to be flattened into numbers or variables on a graph.
—Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation
Noun
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The magazine chronicled the modifications, which were completed by a company called Van Goodies of Maywood, Illinois, in a series of monthly spreads.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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Our Pediatric Health Lifestyle Center, which is an incredibly successful program that operates on our pediatric outpatient clinics, is a lifestyle modification program for kids that are screened at risk for diabetes and obesity and includes consultation with nutritionists.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That Mater Dei-Servite head-scratcher is one of a few anomalies in the rankings.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
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So don't compare today's rates against the anomalies of 2020 and 2021.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dubbed the Billion Cell Atlas, the data set shows how cells react to specific alterations.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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Rules governing modification of buildings located in historic districts can be similarly restrictive, and include the additional requirement that any alterations of buildings within their confines be consistent with neighborhood character.—
Michael S. Hiller,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In a related phenomenon, many people in East Asia have an intolerance to alcohol caused by a genetic variation that came about relatively recently during the period of rice domestication.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The white oak and stained walnut variations make space for a light-blanched vibe or a woodier and more sensational approach, depending on your preference.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Trump had no expectations for his meeting with Machado, the president's spokeswoman said, and wasn't seeking information from her that could speed up the timeline for change in leadership or democratic elections.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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Markets are callous and only react meaningfully when these events impact economic fundamentals or lead to a change in policy.—
Chloe Taylor,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Andermatt is also considered one of the most snow-sure destinations in the Alps—storms tend to stack up here, snow quality holds for weeks, and the season often stretches well into April, a growing rarity in Europe as lower-elevation resorts grapple with warming winters.—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
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What makes the mission's remains so special is their rarity.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Fiction thrives on change, and what bigger, more painful transformation is there than becoming a teenager?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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The definition of transformation is exactly that—caterpillars becoming butterflies.—
Nigel Vaz,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Wrapped in Laguna Seca Blue, a variant of aquamarine, the 2025 BMW M5 Touring is the first generation wagon offering a M5 package.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
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The culprit behind this awful flu season is subclade K, a variant of H3N2 discovered too late to be incorporated into this year’s flu vaccine.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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