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
When one animal falls ill, pathogens can rampage throughout the brood, picking up new mutations along the way.
—
Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026
As the gut tissue works to repair itself, the cells can start replicating at a high speed, which in some cases could increase the possibility of mutations, polyps and cancer.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
More chromosomes can bog down cell division, introducing more opportunity for errors and mutations.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 May 2026
This is especially important because more than 90% of pancreatic cancers carry these harmful mutations, researchers said.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The 400,000-year-old teeth all had two key mutations in a protein found in tooth enamel.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Among the more unusual succulents Kent has are crested plants — mutations of plants that give them unusual shapes and other characteristics.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
In one case, while redesigning a ribosomal protein called RpsJ, the AI remodeled an alpha helix—a structural element bridging different parts of the ribosome—and introduced eight new nearby mutations to compensate for the substitution of just two isoleucines.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The cells were grown 400 generations and typically picked up 20–30 mutations, but none of those restored an isoleucine to any of the ribosomal proteins.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026
As the gut tissue works to repair itself, the cells can start replicating at a high speed, which in some cases could increase the possibility of mutations, polyps and cancer.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
More chromosomes can bog down cell division, introducing more opportunity for errors and mutations.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 May 2026
This is especially important because more than 90% of pancreatic cancers carry these harmful mutations, researchers said.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The 400,000-year-old teeth all had two key mutations in a protein found in tooth enamel.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Among the more unusual succulents Kent has are crested plants — mutations of plants that give them unusual shapes and other characteristics.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
In one case, while redesigning a ribosomal protein called RpsJ, the AI remodeled an alpha helix—a structural element bridging different parts of the ribosome—and introduced eight new nearby mutations to compensate for the substitution of just two isoleucines.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The cells were grown 400 generations and typically picked up 20–30 mutations, but none of those restored an isoleucine to any of the ribosomal proteins.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
Noun
-
While the major work in the garden is mostly completed, gardens, of course, are never done, always requiring constant work and modifications.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
With modifications to his new studio home underway and multiple projects set to release, Kennedy refuses to give up on LA.—
Max Bacall , Nikos DeGruccio,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Officials said there is no consensus on the nature of these anomalies, and preliminary assessments have not confirmed any definitive explanation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
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In manufacturing, these sensors can detect micro-anomalies in machinery to prevent downtime.—
Robert Messer,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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The Treasure Valley has grown massively in the last few years, and while some changes have been obvious – like a boom in housing and congested traffic – other shifts haven't been as visible.—
Mark Dee
May 19,
Idaho Statesman,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Because its electrical output responds to small changes in moisture, the system detects physiological signals linked to humidity variations.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
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River and Greenbelt-adjacent names, including variations of Riverfront and Greenbelt Lane, also appeared consistently across all groups.—
Emily Carmela Nelson,
Idaho Statesman,
24 May 2026
Noun
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The roster changed, too, with most of the alterations on the defensive side to try to improve the pass rush and overhaul the linebacking corps, and with first-round draft pick Sonny Styles now serving as the group’s new quarterback.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Smith said her daughter has been coming to the location every month since January to get alterations on her prom dress.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Like most other variants, the symptoms of the Cicada variant are the same as those of other COVID-19 variant infections.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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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By depicting the most awkward and unpleasant aspects of puberty — from raging hormones to physical transformations and much, much more — the series helps dispel the embarrassment and shame associated with adolescence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
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Personally, as a marketing executive who's had the privilege of guiding multiple organizations and employees through transformations, internal and external strategic communication is critical for employee well-being and organizational stability.—
Christina Wood,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Two exceptions to that rule are Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Wells Fargo Rewards, which both allow point transfers (with the right credit card) and 1-cent-per-point cash redemptions via statement credits or deposits into eligible bank accounts.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
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Remer drills his students on roots, language patterns and the exceptions to those patterns.—
Ben Nuckols,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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