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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Recent Examples of mutations
The 400,000-year-old teeth all had two key mutations in a protein found in tooth enamel.
—
ABC News, 13 May 2026
For infectious viral diseases, mRNA technology has the advantage of being able to do a strain match, Bancel says, which means it can be adapted to mutations quicker than other vaccines.
—Charlotte Hu, Time, 12 May 2026
Among the more unusual succulents Kent has are crested plants — mutations of plants that give them unusual shapes and other characteristics.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
But the mutations are so rare that no single research center had enough family members for a large study.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 7 May 2026
In one case, while redesigning a ribosomal protein called RpsJ, the AI remodeled an alpha helix—a structural element bridging different parts of the ribosome—and introduced eight new nearby mutations to compensate for the substitution of just two isoleucines.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The cells were grown 400 generations and typically picked up 20–30 mutations, but none of those restored an isoleucine to any of the ribosomal proteins.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Reaching more people Although Otarmeni treats mutations that make up about 1% to 3% of cases of genetic hearing loss at birth, doctors expect that the approval of the first gene therapy will spur more work and investment into the field, broadening treatment options in the future.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The Omicron variant first popped up in 2021 with 32 mutations to the virus and began replacing prior strains — Cicada has around 70 mutations compared to the variants used in the 2025-26 vaccines, the CDC says.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 13 May 2026
For infectious viral diseases, mRNA technology has the advantage of being able to do a strain match, Bancel says, which means it can be adapted to mutations quicker than other vaccines.
—Charlotte Hu, Time, 12 May 2026
Among the more unusual succulents Kent has are crested plants — mutations of plants that give them unusual shapes and other characteristics.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
But the mutations are so rare that no single research center had enough family members for a large study.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 7 May 2026
In one case, while redesigning a ribosomal protein called RpsJ, the AI remodeled an alpha helix—a structural element bridging different parts of the ribosome—and introduced eight new nearby mutations to compensate for the substitution of just two isoleucines.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The cells were grown 400 generations and typically picked up 20–30 mutations, but none of those restored an isoleucine to any of the ribosomal proteins.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Reaching more people Although Otarmeni treats mutations that make up about 1% to 3% of cases of genetic hearing loss at birth, doctors expect that the approval of the first gene therapy will spur more work and investment into the field, broadening treatment options in the future.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The Omicron variant first popped up in 2021 with 32 mutations to the virus and began replacing prior strains — Cicada has around 70 mutations compared to the variants used in the 2025-26 vaccines, the CDC says.
—Eva Flowe
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutations
Noun
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These modifications provide Israel with greater independence in maintaining and upgrading the aircraft while improving mission adaptability in regional conflicts.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
These don’t alter the underlying DNA sequence of the cells but are modifications or chemical tags that alter gene activity.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The platform employs a combination of supervised and unsupervised learning techniques to identify patterns, anomalies, and issues across large document sets without requiring extensive human configuration.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The Tuesday parking shortage and the Monday emptiness are not anomalies to correct.—
Chase Garbarino,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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The Treasure Valley has grown massively in the last few years, and while some changes have been obvious – like a boom in housing and congested traffic – other shifts haven't been as visible.—
Mark Dee
May 19,
Idaho Statesman,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The form is simple, to be sure, but their variations, which come in tabletop, standalone, and sconce form, provide a whole city of light to a space.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The roster changed, too, with most of the alterations on the defensive side to try to improve the pass rush and overhaul the linebacking corps, and with first-round draft pick Sonny Styles now serving as the group’s new quarterback.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Smith said her daughter has been coming to the location every month since January to get alterations on her prom dress.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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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
Noun
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This explains why nearly 70% of digital health transformations fail, according to McKinsey.—
Ethan Pham,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Assayas takes a cynical and clichéd view regarding temptation and corruption, worldly rewards of security and pleasure, even ego and pride, while having nothing to say about the transformations envisioned or the values embodied in the exercise of political authority.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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In the aggregate, there is a correlation between earlier picks and better outcomes, but exceptions abound.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutations. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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