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

Seehorn received a nomination for lead actress in a drama series for her portrayal of cynical Carol Sturka, a fantasy romance author who finds herself in a mystifying situation after a virus seems to have wiped out most of Earth’s population. — Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Since then, portrayals of rural America have been up and down. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Hargitay, 62, has earned eight Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson on NBC’s long-running crime procedural, which premiered in 1999. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Taken together, the findings help explain why the Oreshnik’s conventional performance has often fallen short of its reputation while challenging Moscow's portrayal of the weapon as a next-generation missile. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 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