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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mutations
To stay ahead of potential future COVID-19 mutations, scientists at UC San Diego in La Jolla and international collaborators set their sights on the past.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Americans are being urged to be extra vigilant this winter, as a suite of influenza A mutations has created a dominant virus strain that's spreading more rapidly and evading our natural and therapeutic abilities to fight infection.
—New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
In 2025, researchers demonstrated that gene therapy could restore hearing in people born with a specific form of hereditary deafness caused by mutations in the OTOF gene.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 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
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
The mutations seen in the new variant result in a mismatch with this season’s flu vaccine composition, the CDC notes.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
But these mutations can evade your immune system.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Worryingly, the mutations in the subclade K variant may make this year’s flu vaccine less effective.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Americans are being urged to be extra vigilant this winter, as a suite of influenza A mutations has created a dominant virus strain that's spreading more rapidly and evading our natural and therapeutic abilities to fight infection.
—New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
In 2025, researchers demonstrated that gene therapy could restore hearing in people born with a specific form of hereditary deafness caused by mutations in the OTOF gene.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 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
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
The mutations seen in the new variant result in a mismatch with this season’s flu vaccine composition, the CDC notes.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025
But these mutations can evade your immune system.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Worryingly, the mutations in the subclade K variant may make this year’s flu vaccine less effective.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
Noun
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On Tuesday, the Crans-Montana municipality said that inspections of Le Constellation that included fire safety checks had been carried out in 2016, 2018 and 2019, and that modifications had been requested — but no issues with soundproofing measures had been raised.—
Geir Moulson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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In their research, the KAIST team avoided electrolyte modifications by reengineering the copper current collector’s surface.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Annual land and sea surface temperature anomalies each year compared to the 20th century average show ocean temperatures respond more slowly but are also rising.—
Gary W. Yohe,
The Conversation,
10 Jan. 2026
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As global anomalies escalate, Wyle and her patients find themselves on the run, racing against time to unlock the secrets hidden in their altered genetics.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There were four lead changes and neither team led by more than 5.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Now, a new jury will hear details of the brutal crime as Braddy again faces execution due to changes in Florida’s death penalty law.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To kick off 2026, both stars took to the streets (of New York City and Aspen, respectively) wearing variations of cozy Ugg boots.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Daydream Plus for the next quarter-century, or if Neil Young hung up his guitar and kept putting out variations on Trans.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The break was necessary, though uncomfortable, to make some alterations before allowing this work to become my lifestyle again.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The latest round of alterations raises questions about the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, for example.—
Isabella Cueto,
STAT,
6 Jan. 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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Read on to learn about the inspiration behind the most memorable character transformations in Stranger Things season five and the stories behind them.—
Kirbie Johnson,
Allure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Plus, hair transformations are often used to convey big time jumps in TV shows, and that scene takes place 18 months after the big battle with the Mind Flayer and Vecna.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Smith maintained many of the gifts cited by Cannon fell under exceptions to the disclosure rules, including those governing charity event tickets and gifts for birthdays or holidays.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Under that order, the government required citizens to turn in their gold in exchange for paper currency, although there were exceptions for jewelry, certain rare coins and small amounts for industrial use.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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