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
Swank is feisty in the early rounds, and her portrayal is moving as her character is faced with extreme adversity.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The day after the interview was published, a scathing editorial by Hannah appeared in the New York Times, calling her portrayal in Love Story inaccurate.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Garth is best known for her portrayal of popular high schooler Kelly Taylor on Aaron Spelling's Beverly Hills, 90210.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
The Audacity, which was praised about its realistic Silicon Valley portrayal by former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo at a recent screening in San Francisco, will have its World Premiere at SXSW in Austin on March 14.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The day after the interview was published, a scathing editorial by Hannah appeared in the New York Times, calling her portrayal in Love Story inaccurate.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Garth is best known for her portrayal of popular high schooler Kelly Taylor on Aaron Spelling's Beverly Hills, 90210.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
The Audacity, which was praised about its realistic Silicon Valley portrayal by former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo at a recent screening in San Francisco, will have its World Premiere at SXSW in Austin on March 14.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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Phil Chan’s organization Final Bow for Yellowface has worked to end the practice of Yellowface in America’s most popular ballet, The Nutcracker, and bring authentic depictions of Asian culture to ballet stages.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
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The narrative has gained influence in technology circles for its depiction of incremental rather than sudden transformation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During the police investigation, San Francisco Sheriff's deputies were in the area and found a possible suspect matching the description about a few blocks away on Powell Street and detained the subject, police said.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Nine bones carrying the full weight of a species description.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Data and recordings from more than a hundred 911 calls at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, along with interviews and court filings, offer a disturbing portrait of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even after the announcement, Grok was caught generating revealing pictures.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
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The mediocre Queen biopic remains one of the most head-scratching best picture nominees in recent memory.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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