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
His portrayal of best-selling thriller writer Greg Russo — adrift in a New England college after a disastrous campus speaking engagement — lands in that sweet spot between comedy and drama that has increasingly defined the modern Emmy landscape.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 May 2026
Hathaway’s portrayal of the typically opulent song is grounded in reality first, without sacrificing any of its big emotions.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Equally concerning is the portrayal of public school funding as a burden rather than an investment.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 May 2026
Hathaway’s portrayal of the typically opulent song is grounded in reality first, without sacrificing any of its big emotions.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Equally concerning is the portrayal of public school funding as a burden rather than an investment.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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Among the Greco-Roman statues uncovered are depictions of deities like Bacchus (god of wine), Asclepius (god of medicine), and Minerva (god of wisdom).—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
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In 1969, shortly after the landmark Nostra Aetate declaration rejecting longstanding anti-Jewish Catholic doctrine, the Archbishop of Brussels ordered that several paintings be removed and a plaque be mounted to offer context about the remaining depictions.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The treat features vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce, and churro bites, according to a Costco social media post featuring a description of the dessert.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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Officials have said the descriptions reflect observations made at the time and do not include conclusions about the nature of the phenomena.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The Adam Lippes design replaced the cleaner line of the tuxedo with a wider skirt and a more formal portrait neckline, keeping the color restrained while giving the silhouette more volume.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
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The imagery, made in Haiti, New York, Florida, and her current home of Los Angeles, uses both personal, documentary photographs and more surreal, formal portraits to link Cadet’s personal history to a broader meditation on the Black diasporic experience.—
Elly Fishman,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Surely there was a time earlier in your life when your financial picture wasn’t so stable.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
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Lochte had posted a picture of the injection on social media before deleting it.—
Dave Skretta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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