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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 portrayal
King and Kudrow met with several AI experts to make sure their portrayal reflected as accurately as possible what this situation might look like in reality.
—
Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
In a 2015 interview with The Independent, Pennington said watching Dench's portrayal of Ophelia in a 1957 production of Hamlet in London inspired him to pursue his theater career.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In January, after its release, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo pondered legal action against Netflix about the city’s negative portrayal.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Graham won the Leading Actor prize at the BAFTA TV Awards for his portrayal of Eddie Miller in the Netflix series Adolescence.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
In a 2015 interview with The Independent, Pennington said watching Dench's portrayal of Ophelia in a 1957 production of Hamlet in London inspired him to pursue his theater career.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 11 May 2026
In January, after its release, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo pondered legal action against Netflix about the city’s negative portrayal.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Graham won the Leading Actor prize at the BAFTA TV Awards for his portrayal of Eddie Miller in the Netflix series Adolescence.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
-
The clip, which promoted various conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, included a depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Critics also felt the depiction of the 'Guryu Myeonryugwan' crown (a traditional royal headpiece historically associated with vassal state rituals) was incorrect.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Bucks center Myles Turner had some blunt descriptions of this past season with ex-coach Doc Rivers and superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
The description spotlights a pool that doesn’t just sit in the yard — it’s designed into the land itself.—
David Caraccio
May 16,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The design ethos translates to a warren of nook-and-cranny sitting rooms decorated in sage and slate, ox-blood leather, curiosities and ancestral portraits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Related Stories Laird plays Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, a daughter of the lower-middle classes who uses her skills as a portrait painter to hustle her way into the royal court of Versailles.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Knowing your full debt picture helps determine which options make sense and which ones don't.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
The second time around, the pair finally took a photo together after the game — the same picture now featured in Ashley’s viral TikTok chronicling the beginning of their relationship.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
