1
as in modifications
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 anomalies
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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Recent Examples of mutations
Genotoxicity is when a substance or chemical is destructive to genetic information, causing DNA or chromosomal damage that can lead to mutations, cancer, or heritable defects.
—
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Many earlier drives failed because target organisms developed mutations, thus preventing CRISPR cutting.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
What’s more, radiation exposure can cause harmful mutations to the DNA in sperm—mutations that have the potential to be passed on to subsequent generations.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Since 2009, Fu and her colleagues have published research on six mutations across five genes linked to reduced sleep needs.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Experts who study cystic fibrosis, which is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, also want more attention on the health complications that carriers can experience.
—Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Scientists around the world are using molecular scanning tools to hunt for specific mutations – single-letter changes in the parasite’s DNA – that make the parasite more resistant to the drug.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
These alliances focus on cracking the codes of protein mutations prevalent in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers—targets that have historically resisted treatment.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Many earlier drives failed because target organisms developed mutations, thus preventing CRISPR cutting.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
What’s more, radiation exposure can cause harmful mutations to the DNA in sperm—mutations that have the potential to be passed on to subsequent generations.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Since 2009, Fu and her colleagues have published research on six mutations across five genes linked to reduced sleep needs.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Experts who study cystic fibrosis, which is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, also want more attention on the health complications that carriers can experience.
—Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Scientists around the world are using molecular scanning tools to hunt for specific mutations – single-letter changes in the parasite’s DNA – that make the parasite more resistant to the drug.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
These alliances focus on cracking the codes of protein mutations prevalent in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers—targets that have historically resisted treatment.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
Noun
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In fact, several contacts from financial institutions saw a significant increase in requests for loan modifications.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Some analysts have suggested that Iran has drawn from Russia’s extensive battlefield experience with the drones, including modifications such as anti-jamming antennas, electronic warfare-resistant navigation, and new warheads.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Space One terminated the mission about three minutes into flight, at an altitude of roughly 62 miles (100 kilometers), after detecting performance anomalies.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Archaeology Mag continues that geophysical data didn’t produce any clear plans of building, but subsurface anomalies did indicate the presence of hearths and storage pits.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The resulting insights are intended to help scientists understand how the ocean is changing and what those changes mean for the planet.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The mold concerns have forced major changes to the school day.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fill up on gas and peruse a staggering menu of over 700 variations of fizzy pop, including weird and wonderful flavors such as teriyaki beef jerky soda.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The results help scientists better understand the geological differences between the near side and far side of the Moon, including variations in volcanic activity and crust formation that date back billions of years.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Apparently, her role in Gone Girl involved multiple length alterations, given the character's complexity.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
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Some do alterations, others help with measurements and others with tracking down the right items.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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New variants include the TMP era variant and STO era variant, as well as a remaster of the TOS era variant.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Witness the most monstrous of monster transformations, one that cemented Rick Baker’s legacy and earned him his first Academy Award, unfurl on the big screen before your very eyes.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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Everyone in that cafeteria is then rounded up by billionaire Byron Forst’s Corporation and quarantined in a kind of secret prison so that their transformations can be observed.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But those are exceptions that remind the audience just how rare the clean court is.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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The proposal is subject to recent state housing laws, city officials said, which limit the city’s ability to deny or downzone the development and allow developers to add more units and receive special exceptions to local building rules if affordable housing is included.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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