portrayal
noun
por·tray·al
pȯr-ˈtrā(-ə)l 
pər-
1
: the act or process or an instance of portraying : representation
2
: portrait
Examples of portrayal in a Sentence
his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
Recent Examples on the Web
The late Catherine O'Hara and Annie Murphy both won Emmys when the series swept the comedy categories in 2020 for their portrayals of Moira and Alexis Rose, who were forced to move to a small town after a scamming business manager made off with their fortune.
—
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Besides being a record of events, the work is a crafty portrayal of kingship, presenting Akbar in an adulatory tone, as an exemplary and divinely favored ruler.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Her portrayal of Cinderella is hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
That collaboration continued on the sketch series SCTV and in the mockumentaries of Christopher Guest, and culminated with her Emmy-winning portrayal of riches-to-rags matriarch Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
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Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Besides being a record of events, the work is a crafty portrayal of kingship, presenting Akbar in an adulatory tone, as an exemplary and divinely favored ruler.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Her portrayal of Cinderella is hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
That collaboration continued on the sketch series SCTV and in the mockumentaries of Christopher Guest, and culminated with her Emmy-winning portrayal of riches-to-rags matriarch Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portrayal. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
portrayal
noun
por·tray·al
pōr-ˈtrā(-ə)l
pȯr-
1
: the act or process of portraying : representation
2
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