protean

adjective

ˈprō-tē-ən How to pronounce protean (audio)
Definition of proteannext
as in versatile
able to do many different kinds of things a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of protean His beliefs and artistic inclinations were protean and often contradictory. — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for protean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protean
  1. versatile
  2. adaptable
Adjective
  • There are concerns around selling the versatile Spence but new signing Andy Robertson will provide competition at left-back for Destiny Udogie, while Archie Gray can cover Pedro Porro on the opposite side.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • With so many versatile applications, chances are there’s a use for peppermint oil in your household.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of versatile
Adjective
  • The goal is also to keep the aircraft adaptable as threats and military requirements change.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Long story short, linen is adaptable, and its appeal extends well beyond a single decorating style.
    — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of adaptable

Browse Nearby Words

protagonists
protean
protect
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Protean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protean. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All