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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for protean
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
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
See All Example Sentences for protean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protean
Adjective
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This classic recipe is versatile enough for weeknight dinners or weekend potlucks.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Its versatile design keeps your look polished without the fuss.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company pointed out that the integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
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Samsung's success has shown that foldables are a functional evolution of mobile hardware—one that turns the phone into an adaptable tool able to transition from compact to expansive, depending on the task at hand.—
Mark Vena,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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