mutagenic

[ myoo-tuh-jen-ik ]

adjective

, Genetics.

1. capable of inducing mutation or increasing its rate.

Other Words From

• muta·geni·cal·ly adverb
• mu·ta·ge·nic·i·ty [myoo-t, uh, -j, uh, -, nis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutagenic¹

First recorded in 1945–50; muta(tion) + -genic

Example Sentences

SARS-CoV-2 has proven to be much less mutagenic than Human Influenza Virus A and B, which cause annual outbreaks.

From Popular-Science