protégé
noun
pro·té·gé
ˈprō-tə-ˌzhā 
ˌprō-tə-ˈzhā
: one who is protected or trained or whose career is furthered by a person of experience, prominence, or influence
Examples of protégé in a Sentence
He was a protégé of the great composer.
Recent Examples on the Web
The plot follows a visionary billionaire (Kapoor) who grooms a rising tycoon (Vijay Varma) to take over the reins of India’s largest conglomerate as his successor, only to unceremoniously fire his protege a few months into the job.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
Other Holly proteges, like Giordano, did not enjoy the same success after the death of the singer virtually eliminated the ecosystem that made his career possible overnight.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
That part of the narrative involves her central role in propelling her proteges, Kim Foxx and Brandon Johnson, into positions of power in Cook County and Chicago.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Subscribe now Amalia Holguin is known for being the youngest protege from Kobe Bryant’s Mambas youth girls basketball team.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Michael Gandolfini’s Daniel Blake, Kingpin’s protege, and Arty Froushan’s Buck Cashman, the villain’s right hand man, also return in the trailer.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Assistant head coach Gus Bradley was thought to be next in line if his protege Saleh left, but that just seems too easy and is by no means a slam dunk.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The current prime minister, Abe’s protege Sanae Takaichi, has called snap polls next month to capitalize on her rising popularity while hoping to rebuild the LDP brand.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Similar views are now represented by his protege Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October as Japan’s first female prime minister.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
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.
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
Other Holly proteges, like Giordano, did not enjoy the same success after the death of the singer virtually eliminated the ecosystem that made his career possible overnight.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
That part of the narrative involves her central role in propelling her proteges, Kim Foxx and Brandon Johnson, into positions of power in Cook County and Chicago.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Subscribe now Amalia Holguin is known for being the youngest protege from Kobe Bryant’s Mambas youth girls basketball team.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Michael Gandolfini’s Daniel Blake, Kingpin’s protege, and Arty Froushan’s Buck Cashman, the villain’s right hand man, also return in the trailer.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Assistant head coach Gus Bradley was thought to be next in line if his protege Saleh left, but that just seems too easy and is by no means a slam dunk.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The current prime minister, Abe’s protege Sanae Takaichi, has called snap polls next month to capitalize on her rising popularity while hoping to rebuild the LDP brand.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Similar views are now represented by his protege Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October as Japan’s first female prime minister.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protégé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
protégé
noun
pro·té·gé
ˈprōt-ə-ˌzhā
: a person under the care or training of someone influential especially for the furthering of his or her career
Etymology
French, from protéger "to protect"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
