mutation

noun

Definition of mutationnext
1
as in modification
a significant and basic change The sculpture series underwent several mutations as the artist experimented with different materials and techniques.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mutation That extra radiation could have been strong enough to cause double-strand breaks in the DNA of organisms, which can increase the rates of cancer, or mutations that might lead to new evolutionary changes. — Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025 Certain genetic variants, or mutations, are often linked to ancestry, and some have been connected to poor health outcomes. — Leah Small, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2025 It’s been a widespread belief that this lack of mutations, which serve as targets for an mRNA cancer vaccine, would make pancreatic cancer a poor choice for the therapy. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025 The first two came from a group in Colombia with mutations to the presenilin 1 gene. — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutation
  1. modification
  2. anomaly
  3. alteration
  4. variation
  5. change
  6. rarity
  7. transformation
  8. variant
Noun
  • The Future Is Still Bright Please remember: Even with modifications, your policy is valuable protection against what could be catastrophic costs down the road.
    — Patti Brennan, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Vanna White is in her body modification era.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of modification
Noun
  • That data is then processed by algorithms that can analyze dialogue patterns, detect anomalies and systemically identify underlying drivers of communication trends.
    — Todd Fisher, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Each system gives Amazon the ability to monitor its facilities for anomalies in energy and water usage by using comparative data points.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of anomaly
Noun
  • The Italian official said alterations were not detected by eye and only were revealed by examining the seams of the crotch area of the ski suits after the competition.
    — Graham Dunbar, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Intense alteration on early Mars revealed by high-aluminum rocks at Jezero crater.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of alteration
Noun
  • Smoothing the elective surgical schedule throughout the week and even weekend to reduce the variation in demand for inpatient beds.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to straightforward searches, Jordan says some variations may sidestep filters like using #teeceecee, which spells out TCC.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of variation
Noun
  • There had been another change since the journeys of my youth: a cleaning staff.
    — Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
  • One last minute trick that works for me is to wear them out on Monday after the time change.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of change
Noun
  • The fan version of Rotom will also be a rarity because the Plasma Pokemon usually makes appearances during special events.
    — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • While most in the profession change jobs every few years for better opportunities and more pay, Olen is a rarity in a cutthroat, competitive industry.
    — Tim Casey, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • When an insecure yet ambitious regime attempts to carry out large-scale social transformation, the indolent bureaucrat makes for an ideal scapegoat.
    — Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Others use it as a breaking point for transformation.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of transformation
Noun
  • The variant comes nearly two years after Cadillac revealed its first all-electric full-size SUV.
    — Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Related article Bird flu variant found in Nevada cows shows signs of adaptation to mammals OPPR also coordinated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and partners from industry to maintain therapeutics in the Strategic National Stockpile.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of variant

Browse Nearby Words

mutation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutation. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on mutation

Nglish: Translation of mutation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mutation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All