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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of portraits
When Delcy Rodríguez chaired her first council of ministers meeting as the acting president of Venezuela on Sunday, the portraits of the two leaders who preceded her loomed on the wall behind her.
—
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
In addition to serving Hollywood, Williams was the owner of namesake Dean Williams Photography, which specialized in professional portraits, weddings and events.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
The investigation into the racist defacing of the black professors’ portraits at Harvard Law School in 2015 continues into an eleventh year with no resolution and no suspects.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The walkway is lined with portraits of past presidents in the order of their election.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
One dining room is entirely enveloped in green velvet, inspired by a vintage Cristofle box; another shows off oil portraits of 20th-century presidents.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
Can the bewitching kindness be disassociated from the defining unkindness at the heart of Southern history, visible in the portraits of Confederates in the lobby of the Lafayette Hotel?
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The portraits are kitschy and expensive—but parents can’t seem to stop buying them, Annie Midori Atherton writes.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
With its elegant galleries, the museum has long, stately halls adorned with historic portraits, sweeping columns gracing the exterior, and wings dedicated to various time periods and cultural movements.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
In addition to serving Hollywood, Williams was the owner of namesake Dean Williams Photography, which specialized in professional portraits, weddings and events.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2026
The investigation into the racist defacing of the black professors’ portraits at Harvard Law School in 2015 continues into an eleventh year with no resolution and no suspects.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The walkway is lined with portraits of past presidents in the order of their election.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
One dining room is entirely enveloped in green velvet, inspired by a vintage Cristofle box; another shows off oil portraits of 20th-century presidents.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
Can the bewitching kindness be disassociated from the defining unkindness at the heart of Southern history, visible in the portraits of Confederates in the lobby of the Lafayette Hotel?
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The portraits are kitschy and expensive—but parents can’t seem to stop buying them, Annie Midori Atherton writes.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
With its elegant galleries, the museum has long, stately halls adorned with historic portraits, sweeping columns gracing the exterior, and wings dedicated to various time periods and cultural movements.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraits
Noun
-
All venues are equipped with accessibility measures including audio descriptions, sign language interpretation and multilingual dubbing.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Midwinter Day was a rageful response inspired by Ulysses in its epic descriptions of the quotidian.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For the rest of her images, Kardashian modeled the see-through lace dress in various parts of the island paradise, also including some pictures that were just part of the scenery.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Like William Klein’s pictures, Roversi’s incorporate accidents, light flares, blur, even damage.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The movement is considered a response to the ever-present and growing sense of alienation among people, as well as a rejection of the traditional depictions of everyday life in Eastern Europe.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Pormanove, 46, was also known online for completing extreme challenges on livestreams, and his death drew public scrutiny for — and an investigation by French authorities into — the streaming platform Kick for allowing creators to share videos that include depictions of physical and verbal abuse.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of the event, Cheney was asked how media portrayals might affect his legacy.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Chenoweth and Menzel’s portrayals of Glinda and Elphaba earned them both Tony Award nominations for best performance by a leading actress in a musical, which Menzel won at the 2004 ceremony, and Wicked hasn’t left the Gershwin Theatre since its premiere in October 2003.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, there were always several sketches that might not make it into the broadcast.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Purchased largely via auction houses, the collection spans centuries and continents and comprises all types of works, from sculptures to sketches and oil paintings.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portraits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraits. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share