diff --git a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/MergedAnnotation.java b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/MergedAnnotation.java
index 1ce1a7bcb4b..e3c3f57d502 100644
--- a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/MergedAnnotation.java
+++ b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/MergedAnnotation.java
@@ -455,7 +455,8 @@ public interface MergedAnnotation<A extends Annotation> {
 	 * <p>The {@linkplain Adapt adaptations} may be used to change the way that
 	 * values are added.
 	 * @param adaptations the adaptations that should be applied to the annotation values
-	 * @return an immutable map containing the attributes and values
+	 * @return a mutable {@code AnnotationAttributes} instance containing the attributes
+	 * and values
 	 */
 	AnnotationAttributes asAnnotationAttributes(Adapt... adaptations);