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
Reaching more people Although Otarmeni treats mutations that make up about 1% to 3% of cases of genetic hearing loss at birth, doctors expect that the approval of the first gene therapy will spur more work and investment into the field, broadening treatment options in the future.
—
Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The Cicada variant has the potential to reduce protection from a vaccine or previous infection because of the number of mutations.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Usually, these mistakes, called spontaneous mutations, don’t matter very much.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Protein language models, which are AI systems trained on millions of natural protein sequences, can quickly predict how mutations will change a protein’s behavior or design new proteins.
—Stephen D. Turner, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The team used an Alzheimer’s mouse model that includes human familial mutations and develops early signs of the condition.
—Brianna Abbott, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
And mutations are too often assumed to be dangerous, even though some of them are vital to our survival.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
For example, mutations in myosin genes involved in inner ear function can cause hereditary hearing loss, as these proteins are essential for the proper operation of sensory hair cells.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Over time, this can lead to cellular DNA damage or mutations that can cause cancer.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The Cicada variant has the potential to reduce protection from a vaccine or previous infection because of the number of mutations.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Usually, these mistakes, called spontaneous mutations, don’t matter very much.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Protein language models, which are AI systems trained on millions of natural protein sequences, can quickly predict how mutations will change a protein’s behavior or design new proteins.
—Stephen D. Turner, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The team used an Alzheimer’s mouse model that includes human familial mutations and develops early signs of the condition.
—Brianna Abbott, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
And mutations are too often assumed to be dangerous, even though some of them are vital to our survival.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
For example, mutations in myosin genes involved in inner ear function can cause hereditary hearing loss, as these proteins are essential for the proper operation of sensory hair cells.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026
Over time, this can lead to cellular DNA damage or mutations that can cause cancer.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
Noun
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These modifications included installing dedicated research stations and complex wiring to connect payload systems equipped with advanced sensors, such as lidar and infrared spectrometers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
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In return, the WGA agreed to a host of modifications and rollbacks on the guild health insurance policy.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In this military facility designed to withstand a nuclear strike, data is collected from sensors across the far north monitoring everything from the seafloor all the way up to space, sifted for anomalies, and analyzed for threats such as shadow fleet ships and unidentified aircraft.—
Alan Crawford,
Bloomberg,
20 Apr. 2026
-
On two of those flights, the Vulcan launcher suffered anomalies with one of its solid rocket boosters.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just one of many changes brought in by MLB’s attempt to make the game better.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
When a transaction is elevated from review by a state economic agency to consideration by a party national security body, the calculus changes.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In all the variations the personnel staff played out before the first round, there were very, very few in which Bain fell to them.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, variations in her appearance were noted, such as the strap across her chest.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But with the lottery alterations, trades and free agency again will return to a forefront that allowed the Heat to return to the forefront for the majority of these three decades of Riley rule.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Other red flags are alterations, cross-outs or erasures.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 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
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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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This planetary system is going through changes Changes to planetary systems and shifting orbits aren't unique to TOI-201, but these transformations usually occur on timescales of millions and even billions of years.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Sometimes the most extraordinary transformations happen in the most unlikely creatures.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the mold the Dolphins are building off was consistent, followed through with few exceptions.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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With a few notable exceptions, Leo kept his political remarks to the leaders largely diplomatic, using a language of encouragement and subtle messaging rather than headline-grabbing condemnations.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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