mutates

present tense third-person singular of mutate
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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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 mutates Although flu seasons can vary in disease severity, the virus mutates so unpredictably that pandemic flu seasons – like those in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009 – are a recurring possibility. Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutates
Verb
  • Cracker Barrel had already committed substantial capital to a transformation without proving which changes customers wanted, which investments would improve restaurant economics, and which businesses still deserved a place inside the company.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The total solar eclipse in your sign could coincide with a new role or personal reinvention that changes the way others perceive you.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Adaptive or evolutionary theories hold that the correct amount of sleep varies depending on factors such as season, workload, stress, illness and safety.
    Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 31 July 2026
  • Reserve transparency varies by issuer, and liquidity between tokens and local currencies remains thin in many markets.
    Alex Odagiu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • This discussion point also shifts the conversation from staying in the past towards the future.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The film joins Totem’s sales slate as the company shifts its primary focus to production.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Plus, pricing per million tokens fluctuates widely across frontier models.
    Steven Carlini, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Motivation fluctuates day to day, which is why making a plan is crucial.
    Christa Sgobba, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mutates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutates. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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