as in descriptions
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his account created in the jurors' heads a detailed portrait of a lonely old man
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Recent Examples of portraits
The art show paired portraits of animals that exhibit same-sex behaviors, like peacocks and flamingos, and was meant to be a commentary on how queerness has been hidden throughout history, leaving artists to use symbolism to communicate their point of view.
—
Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Some viewers and beginner-painters valued his bare-bones instructions on how to create unchallenging landscape portraits, while still some others undoubtedly enjoyed Ross and his painting lessons for their snark value.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
The walls are glutted with oil portraits, and antiques sourced from l’Isle-sur-Sorgue are the real thing; staff are dressed in somewhat cumbersome costume (medieval-style bodices and straw boaters) but ever attentive.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
But a new book by former first lady Jill Biden suggests that these reassuring portraits of an octogenarian president with enviable stamina were embellished.
—Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 3 June 2026
These characters comprise some of her most vivid portraits of humanity.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, haunted armor and stretching room portraits, according to the concept art.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's 23-year-old son, James Wilkie Broderick, flexed for the camera in a new series of rare portraits.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Organized in six sections, combining both chronological and thematic approaches, the exhibition opens with a group of portraits of Lee Miller taken by some of the greatest photographers and filmmakers of the 1920s and 1930s – Edward Steichen, Cecil Beaton and George Hoyningen-Huene among them.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Some viewers and beginner-painters valued his bare-bones instructions on how to create unchallenging landscape portraits, while still some others undoubtedly enjoyed Ross and his painting lessons for their snark value.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
The walls are glutted with oil portraits, and antiques sourced from l’Isle-sur-Sorgue are the real thing; staff are dressed in somewhat cumbersome costume (medieval-style bodices and straw boaters) but ever attentive.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
But a new book by former first lady Jill Biden suggests that these reassuring portraits of an octogenarian president with enviable stamina were embellished.
—Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 3 June 2026
These characters comprise some of her most vivid portraits of humanity.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, haunted armor and stretching room portraits, according to the concept art.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's 23-year-old son, James Wilkie Broderick, flexed for the camera in a new series of rare portraits.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Organized in six sections, combining both chronological and thematic approaches, the exhibition opens with a group of portraits of Lee Miller taken by some of the greatest photographers and filmmakers of the 1920s and 1930s – Edward Steichen, Cecil Beaton and George Hoyningen-Huene among them.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraits
Noun
-
As of late Saturday night, authorities have not released descriptions of any suspects or identified a possible motive.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Police believe the thieves are between 16 and 19 years old, and have only vague descriptions of the suspects.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
American strikes also destroyed what appears to be drinking water infrastructure on Iran’s southern coast early yesterday, according to videos and pictures shared by Iranian media and geolocated by NBC News.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The festival Thursday had a family-friendly vibe, with everyone taking pictures and enjoying time together, said Maria Botchatcher.—
Zuri Primos
June 11,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Still, marketing the industry to young people can be difficult, as outdated imagery of factory workers and assembly lines still dominate popular depictions of the field.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2026
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According to Jarvis, those long hours are one of the show's more realistic depictions of ranch life, particularly during the summer months when daylight stretches well into the evening.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Noun
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The film won three Oscars and has since been widely cited as one of Hollywood’s most influential portrayals of the tech industry.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
Dean Cain has repeatedly taken issue with modern portrayals of superheroes, from Superman and Supergirl to Captain America.—
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Original concept sketches by the late John Hench, longtime artist and official Disney Legend, gave retro-future vibes and inspiration.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 2026
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The Ambient Experience themes were created from sketches by award-winning illustrator Joey Chou.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portraits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraits. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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