as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portrayal
The fourth season was notable for John Lithgow’s portrayal of the antagonist, a role that won him an Emmy as well as a Golden Globe.
—
Jordana Rosenfeld,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story kick-started a wave of nostalgia across the internet and turned Sarah Pidgeon into a star for her portrayal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (the fashion designer’s VIP publicist for eight years until her death).
—
Danielle Directo-Meston,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
Its portrayal of overwhelming, gut-wrenching grief could easily leave its characters cynical about love.
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Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
For those uninitiated, Amazon Prime’s latest college drama, Off Campus, has sparked a dedicated following for its respectful portrayal of friendships, fun, and even, puck buddies bunnies.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Jordana Rosenfeld,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story kick-started a wave of nostalgia across the internet and turned Sarah Pidgeon into a star for her portrayal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (the fashion designer’s VIP publicist for eight years until her death).
—
Danielle Directo-Meston,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
Its portrayal of overwhelming, gut-wrenching grief could easily leave its characters cynical about love.
—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
For those uninitiated, Amazon Prime’s latest college drama, Off Campus, has sparked a dedicated following for its respectful portrayal of friendships, fun, and even, puck buddies bunnies.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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All of those things might be present in a single realistic depiction of abuse, but a reader might fail to see the same nuance in such a story.
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But Comer and Jackman’s roles reverse the ballad’s depictions.
Noun
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Police said officers in the area quickly located a person matching the suspect's description, prompting a foot pursuit.
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This story was updated to include a description of Keyser’s final episode.
Noun
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It was discovered by Amsterdam dealer Jan Six, a direct descendant of his namesake, the subject of a 1654 portrait by the artist, and it has been authenticated by experts Christopher Brown and Ernst van de Wetering.
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The carousel additionally featured a few vintage wedding portraits, presumably of her parents.
Noun
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The Department of State, which handles visa applications from abroad, has not released its full 2025 data, but the numbers through September show a similar picture.
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Some Mars scientists say SkyFall also won’t meaningfully inform other big-picture research questions, such as digging into the planet’s history or understanding how its surface and atmosphere interact.
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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