protean
adjective
Did you know?
Proteus was the original master of disguise. According to Greek mythology, the grizzled old shepherd of Poseidon's sea creatures possessed the gift of prophecy but didn't like to share his knowledge. Proteus would escape those who wanted to question him by changing his shape. The only way to get a straight answer from him was to sneak up behind him during his midday nap and hold onto him (while he frantically changed from shape to shape) until he eventually revealed what he knew. The adjective protean describes anyone or anything that is as mutable and adaptable as the mythological sea-shepherd.
Synonyms
Examples of protean in a Sentence
Janice Rogers Brown, National Review, 22 June 2024
Humanity is a much more complex, protean planetary force than a meteorite strike or glacial retreat.
—Jan Zalasiewicz, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016
In theory selection may lead to a world of green-beards with infinite population sizes and generations, and persistent and consistent selection, but the world may be too protean for this optimal equilibrium to ever arise.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2010
Ballet Hispánico is at the top of its game here, and Lopez Ochoa displays the dancers’ silken, protean talents beautifully.
—Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for protean 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to protean
Dictionary Entries Near protean
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protean. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
protean
adjective
from Proteus, a god of the sea in Greek mythology who could change his form at will
Medical Definition
protean
1 of 2 adjective
protean
2 of 2 noun
Share