portrayal

noun

por·​tray·​al pȯr-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

pər-

1

: the act or process or an instance of portraying : representation

2

: portrait

Synonyms of portrayal

• depiction
• description
• portrait
• picture

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

Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Prosecutors appeared to begin chipping away at the defense’s portrayal of Lindsay Clancy as overmedicated, walking jurors through nine prescription bottles that still contained many of the pills she had been given. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

But what most frustrates her is that Calder’s portrayal of Millennial ennui and directionlessness takes those qualities at face value and, in doing so, replicates them. — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Davidson, 32, also appeared to be wearing colored contacts for his portrayal of Pitera. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

portray + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for portrayal

• betrayal

Kids Definition

portrayal

noun

por·​tray·​al pōr-ˈtrā(-ə)l 

pȯr-

1

: the act or process of portraying : representation

2

: portrait sense 1