mutations

noun

plural of mutation
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

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 mutations Random mutations and genetic exchange also shape which variants emerge. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Those sequences didn’t show any particularly concerning mutations, experts and the CDC told ProPublica. — Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026 For the intismeran study, scientists hunted gene mutations unique to each patient’s tumor, mutations that create proteins which shouldn’t be in the body unless those cancer cells start to grow again. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The medicine is an individualized therapy that attacks the unique mutations, called neoantigens, found in a patient’s tumor. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 The dostarlimab approval means more patients whose tumors have specific mutations could avoid those aggressive therapies altogether. — Alice Park, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 That will push conversations toward breast MRI and ultrasound as add-ons, particularly for women with family history or BRCA mutations. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Black women are more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer, and people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a higher likelihood of carrying BRCA mutations. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 Their v2 version of their protease, which incorporated some of the random mutations, was 30 times more active than the original design it was based on. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
  1. modifications
  2. anomalies
  3. changes
  4. variations
  5. alterations
  6. variants
  7. transformations
  8. exceptions
Noun
  • The domestic tax credit modifications impasse did not impact Italy’s international production rebates, which remained firmly in place.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its existing capabilities provide a starting point for the conversion, although the transport configuration cannot perform the new mission without substantial modifications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of modifications
Noun
  • Other possible uses include detecting weak magnetic signals from the heart and muscles, improving navigation, and spotting underground magnetic anomalies.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
  • When the fetus was diagnosed with a heart defect and other serious anomalies, the parents asked Kelley to terminate the pregnancy.
    — Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of anomalies
Noun
  • These changes were intended to support the long-distance challenge, which required multiple crossings rather than a single uninterrupted run in one direction.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Boise’s food-and-drink scene saw a flurry of changes this week, with a bar relocating, a longtime restaurant reopening and a chain pulling back.
    — Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of changes
Noun
  • The German athletic brand has kept its classic Samba shoe hyper relevant by introducing new variations, such as its recent slip-on version.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The creative directors came up with more unique ideas and stories; the delegators offered variations on the same themes.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of variations
Noun
  • These small changes may help shoppers avoid more expensive alterations.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The White House For Season 4, Beech made some alterations to the White House set.
    — Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of alterations
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
Definition of variants
Noun
  • The £1 billion Masterplan project is among the most comprehensive transformations in the history of the British Museum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Superlong Cher has undergone many hair transformations over the years.
    — Lorena Meouchi, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of transformations
Noun
  • Airbnb said exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, such as requiring guests to put trash in animal-proof containers in areas with bears.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The system also requires recurring checks for matching information, although legal exceptions apply and removal is not immediate.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptions

Browse Nearby Words

mutation
mutations
mute
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Cite this Entry

“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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