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 These mutations aren’t necessarily inherited; instead they can be caused by certain exposures, or simply by chance. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 Under guidance issued in 2022, the FDA has approved nine drugs to be used for patients whose tumors have specific mutations, regardless of the organ where the cancer first appeared. — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 Key Takeaways Prostate cancer develops when DNA mutations allow prostate cells to multiply out of control. — Md Published, Verywell Health, 21 Sep. 2026 Scientists analyze mutations in a patient’s tumor and create a personalized therapy designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer. — Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 Resident Evil 2 fans will most certainly notice a resemblance to William Birkin, the Umbrella scientist whose G-Virus mutations progressively transform him into one of the franchise’s most terrifying bosses. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2026 Genetics and random mutations can play a role, as can tobacco and alcohol use, diet, inactivity and sun exposure. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 15 Sep. 2026 However, these medications work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, and they are also known to cause mutations in the DNA of healthy cells, potentially raising the risk of new cancers later in life. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026 These mutations can be inherited, meaning the results may matter not only for the patient, but also for their family members. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
  1. modifications
  2. anomalies
  3. changes
  4. variations
  5. alterations
  6. variants
  7. transformations
  8. exceptions
Noun
  • Those systems support modifications, upgrades and integration work around the aircraft’s mission architecture.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Adhesives can react differently depending on paint type, wall texture, humidity and how old the surface is, and some leases restrict modifications even when they’re designed to be removable.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of modifications
Noun
  • Anyone who regularly follows dark matter news knows that past tantalizing anomalies evaporated as more data came in.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The model, trained on this patchwork, starts flagging thousands of legitimate customers as billing anomalies while missing real discrepancies buried in the messy records.
    — Olufunsho Peters, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of anomalies
Noun
  • Even Meta’s settlement with the attorneys general, which requires changes to features aimed at teens, contains plenty of unknowns and ties some of its actionability to competitors doing the same.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And most experts don’t think there will be much relief for homebuyers in the next year or so, absent some big changes, such as the war in Iran ending or oil prices dramatically falling.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of changes
Noun
  • Since there are significant elevation variations in the Asheville area, parts of the region will see peak fall color at different times, tourism officials say.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There were plenty of new spins on his famous baker boy cap showcased like art objects in a striking Plexiglas installation in an art gallery opposite Le Bristol, plus numerous other variations on other headgear in his spring 2027 lineup.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of variations
Noun
  • The hotel continues to honor the building's textile history, offering guests an alterations service provided by the professionals at Santa Eulalia, the most prestigious tailors in Barcelona.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Now, after a year of evaluation and alterations to its location, U pick fields, methods of payment and schedule, the Knaus team has instituted a few new rules.
    — Connie Ogle October 1, Miami Herald, 1 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
  • Rather than scripting the final act of a Shakespearean tragedy that exists only in their imagination, skeptics might try covering the story unfolding in front of them – one of the most successful transformations on Wall Street playing out today.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Directors should consider taking these three actions when their organizations are going through large-scale transformations.
    — Tracy Nolan, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of transformations
Noun
  • Rollout measures should include time to launch, configuration effort, training burden, manual exceptions, integration depth and support tickets per location.
    — Manjot Pal, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Athletes can transfer to another school one time without losing a year of eligibility and student-athletes are given five years of eligibility with exceptions for certain circumstances such as a serious injury.
    — Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 29 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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