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
From its opening of a cassette clicking into a deck, FKA Twigs’ 17-track mixtape takes us through a protean universe of dancehall, trap-flecked R&B, and dreamy pop that skirts the mainstream to stay inventive.
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Spin Staff, SPIN, 26 Dec. 2022
When not composing operas, orchestral works or chamber pieces, Tyshawn Sorey is a protean drummer and band leader.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2022
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
Humanity is a much more complex, protean planetary force than a meteorite strike or glacial retreat.
—Jan Zalasiewicz, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for protean
Spin Staff, SPIN, 26 Dec. 2022
When not composing operas, orchestral works or chamber pieces, Tyshawn Sorey is a protean drummer and band leader.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2022
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
Humanity is a much more complex, protean planetary force than a meteorite strike or glacial retreat.
—Jan Zalasiewicz, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016
See All Example Sentences for protean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protean
Adjective
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Peru’s cumbia family dynasty Grupo 5, Puerto Rico’s versatile Guaynaa, Argentina’s cuartetazo force Luck Ra, Puerto Rican merengue queen Olga Tañón and Cuba’s rising reparto sensation Bebeshito will discuss how their respective genres have the power to cross borders.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
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Choose from versatile fall shades like camel, tan, black and chestnut.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Bridging robots and industrial machinery At the center of Flexxbotics’ nomination is FlexxCORE, a low-code software environment designed to make robots more adaptable and aware in manufacturing settings.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Oct. 2025
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They’re billed as potentially less expensive, safer, easier to build and adaptable because modules can be added as more power is needed.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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