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
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.
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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
Mastro’s and Zhou’s books could hardly be more different, but both authors’ perspectives shed light on the still protean multipolar world that is being shaped by the competition between Washington and Beijing.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 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
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
Mastro’s and Zhou’s books could hardly be more different, but both authors’ perspectives shed light on the still protean multipolar world that is being shaped by the competition between Washington and Beijing.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 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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Thankfully, the silhouette is the epitome of trendy, offering a versatile design that includes a side swish, contrasting textiles, and bold colors.—
Ruby McAuliffe,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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Loveappella Roll-Top Maxi Skirt Maxi skirts are especially versatile, and this roll-top style by Loveappella can easily stay in your weekly closet rotation through every season.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Credit is due to the series' expressive, ever-adaptable Minions and their adorably garbled language, as well as Steve Carell's voice work as Gru, the supervillain at the heart of the story.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Others suggest that borrowing strategies from biology may offer the most efficient path toward adaptable, resilient machines.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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