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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Or, this versatile, lightweight neck pillow from Trtl is much less bulky than your average option but still provides support by keeping your neck upright while padding it.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Beyond the star’s praise, the everyday pick boasts a versatile design and unique asymmetrical silhouette that’ll earn compliments galore.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These compact and adaptable plants easily fit in large containers and can grow year-round indoors—or they can be grown outside and brought back in during cold winters.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
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Approaching your home as a flexible, adaptable space will keep it from ever looking outdated.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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