as in changes
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
colored lights that slowly mutate from green to blue and so on across the color spectrum
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Recent Examples of mutates
Measles mutates slowly enough that researchers can in many cases search for essentially the same strain when tracking its movements.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
This dynamic drives a phenomenon called antigenic shift meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutates
Verb
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Top To Bottom Social demonstrates its beliefs through its three steps, which include establishing solid foundations and using smart systems to support them, and following the world changes in search, evaluation, and decision-making.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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With a voluminous, years-in-the-making study of the Chicago Police Department’s officer deployment methods finished, CPD must now decide which changes to enact first in its effort to more effectively respond to emergencies across the city.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But adult protection varies from child welfare in several ways that have profound consequences.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Here’s how to claim your lottery prize For Indiana Lottery prizes, the claim process varies depending on the prize amount.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The trip feels oddly smooth, as the robotaxi cleanly shifts lanes and slows down to avoid hitting other vehicles and bicycles on the road.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Gruev goes inside to Ampadu, who quickly shifts it to James Justin as Habib Diarra harries him.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The inherent value of some watches fluctuates on a daily basis because of the materials.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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When estrogen fluctuates wildly postpartum or during perimenopause, ADHD symptoms often get dramatically worse.—
Sarah Oreck,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutates. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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