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
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
His model is aspirational, situation-dependent, protean—and well-suited for times in which the stuff humans build destabilize traditional ways of life and undermine longstanding values.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for protean
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
His model is aspirational, situation-dependent, protean—and well-suited for times in which the stuff humans build destabilize traditional ways of life and undermine longstanding values.
—IEEE Spectrum, 8 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for protean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protean
Adjective
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Rice middlins is a versatile dish with a hearty texture and nutty flavor.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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What’s more, embroidered bedding is versatile for a variety of bedroom styles.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The adaptable creatures thrive in urban and rural environments, and their range has expanded dramatically since 1900 — unlike other North American apex predators like wolves and bears, creatures with which humans have also struggled to share space with.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
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The same principles can be used by engineers to develop technical systems that are robust, efficient and adaptable – just like biological solutions often are.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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