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 High doses of radiation damage DNA and can cause mutations that lead to cancer. — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs. — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Unlike many conditions catalogued under the umbrella term of dementia, childhood dementias are often caused by mutations in a single gene that happen to trigger similar mechanisms responsible for adult-onset neurodegeneration. — Mike McRae 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 The companies use those to create a customized vaccine that targets up to 34 mutations unique to that specific patient's cancer. — Mariam Sunny, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Statistics show that among the general population, 1 in 400 women carry the BRCA mutations. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 To do that, researchers sequence the DNA of each patient’s tumour (by analysing samples after it’s been removed) and identify its unique mutations. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026 Artificial intelligence is then used to help scientists figure out which of the hundreds of mutations should be included in the vaccine. — Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Even with identical driver mutations, different genetic backgrounds led to varied cellular responses. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
  1. modifications
  2. anomalies
  3. changes
  4. variations
  5. alterations
  6. variants
  7. transformations
  8. exceptions
Noun
  • After some major modifications, it's set to begin its five-year mission peering at new supernovas, distant galaxies and planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.
    — Berly McCoy, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In April, Spinnova began trial runs at the demonstration factory to test modifications aimed at improving production efficiency and fiber quality.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of modifications
Noun
  • There were no reports of anomalies from about a dozen nuclear power plants and other facilities that handle nuclear materials, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The platform manages client dashboards, drafts performance reports, monitors data quality, flags anomalies, supports internal operations, and synthesizes context from meetings so leaders are not forced to sit in every room to stay informed.
    — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of anomalies
Noun
  • How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The interior is probably the biggest improvement without having the same visually jarring impact the exterior’s changes have.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of changes
Noun
  • The three main sectarian deities have numerous avatars, local forms, and variations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.
    — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of variations
Noun
  • Naturally, Varnell, deemed out of touch, is resistant to the characterization and the alterations, and much of the comedy is mined from the contrast between the older and younger characters.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Implementing even a small change to an analog system involves physical alterations such as wiring, disconnections, connections and hardware validation.
    — Timor Brik, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 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
  • Trapped inside with no escape, Se-jeong and a small group of survivors must fight to stay alive while the infected undergo horrific transformations.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The images also provide clues into the transformations and collisions that shape galaxies, such as waves of stellar births and supermassive black holes.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of transformations
Noun
  • The law includes several exceptions, including certain vehicles, medical devices and other equipment.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The rules generally require a residential site to have at least 200 feet of water frontage on Biscayne Bay, with specific exceptions for some existing lots.
    — Luisa Yanez Updated September 3, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of exceptions

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mutations
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Cite this Entry

“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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