1
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to depict
to present a picture of
a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to play
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portray
Actors who have portrayed Jackson on screen include Nigel Gibbs in the TV series Monster (2022), and Eddie Murphy famously parodied Jackson on Saturday Night Live in 1984.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
The photoshoot was themed around the seven deadly sins, with Rondot being assigned to portray wrath.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
The increasing prevalence of Black culture opened the door for the city to portray any disturbance as a justification for closing the Mines.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Laura Faye Smith portrays Emmy with steely determination.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portray
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
The photoshoot was themed around the seven deadly sins, with Rondot being assigned to portray wrath.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
The increasing prevalence of Black culture opened the door for the city to portray any disturbance as a justification for closing the Mines.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Laura Faye Smith portrays Emmy with steely determination.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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But one person familiar with the decisions told Semafor that at least one executive from a company described by the survey had reached out to multiple outlets asking for the pieces to be taken down, arguing that the survey data was faulty and biased.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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One of four astronauts launched by SpaceX last summer suffered what officials described as a serious health issue, prompting their hasty return.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Critics including Sacramento State students have at times characterized Wood as focused too closely on university athletics at the expense of academics, while Wood has repeatedly touted FBS promotion as a worthwhile investment.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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The affordability crisis characterized by rising rents, stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing is driving instability, homelessness and longer commutes.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This was an adaptation of the 1906 novel about the meatpacking industry by Upton Sinclair; famously, Lookingglass actors hung by their heels, depicting the draining carcasses of the Chicago Stockyards.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Surveillance footage shown at the trial depicted Santos brutally beating the sleeping victims with a large metal bar over the course of half an hour.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rafaela played several positions for the Red Sox and subbed in games in later innings before making his first career start, at Bogaerts’ old spot.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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Ayton competes internationally for the Bahamas, last playing for the national team during the 2024 Olympic qualifying process.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Greg Gianforcaro, one of the attorneys representing victims suing the diocese, credited survivors' persistence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Those charges appear to represent just a fraction of the number of arrests in Minnesota under the law.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By controlling edge recombination through passivation, these wafers can maintain strong carrier collection and high efficiency, translating their theoretical advantages into practical, high-performing solar cells.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
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During dinner, musician Malcolm McRae — who’s featured in Simkhai’s campaign imagery, and is also Anya Taylor-Joy’s husband — performed a song for the crowd, while Mia Moretti stepped up for DJ duty.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Styled by Lotta Volkova, the cast includes the likes of Pierre Francois Jacob playing Turlington’s husband; Penelope Ternes and Kaplan Hani as their daughter and son; Edoardo Sebastianelli and Lina Zhang interpreting their respective partners, and Fatou Kebbeh as their friend.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Harry, however, is said to have interpreted William’s caution as a lack of support — or even skepticism — toward Meghan.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nor did Liu attempt a quadruple toe loop as did the Russian Adeliia Petrosian.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Through a stellar debut season, freshman Jazzy Davidson has done everything for USC that was asked of her.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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