as in versatile
able to do many different kinds of things
a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama
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Recent Examples of protean
His beliefs and artistic inclinations were protean and often contradictory.
—
Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Davis spent his career sounding the depths of his protean creativity.
—Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Adding to the otherworldly ambience is the shifting jazz-folk score by Mary Komasa and Antoni Łazarkiewicz, which, like our hero, is similarly protean in nature.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
As the party’s protean policy evolves, Smith and his colleagues are tasked with systematically destroying any historical records that conflict with the current version of history.
—Laura Beers, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protean
Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Davis spent his career sounding the depths of his protean creativity.
—Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Adding to the otherworldly ambience is the shifting jazz-folk score by Mary Komasa and Antoni Łazarkiewicz, which, like our hero, is similarly protean in nature.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
As the party’s protean policy evolves, Smith and his colleagues are tasked with systematically destroying any historical records that conflict with the current version of history.
—Laura Beers, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protean
Adjective
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The indigo colorway is deep and versatile enough to go from the golf course to dinner without a change of scene.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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The gyuto was born when Western culinary influences became de rigeur, and chefs needed a more versatile blade shape, adept at push cuts and pull-through slicing, with a slight curve that allowed some light chopping.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Ubiquitous yet endlessly adaptable, the money plant integrates effortlessly into indoor settings while contributing to gentle transpiration.—
Nolan Lewis,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
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However, deer are adaptable creatures and often get used to the tricks put in their path, eventually ignoring attempts to deter them, Walke says.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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