portray

1 to give a representation or account of in words the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness Synonyms delineate, depict, draw, image, limn, paint, picture, describe, render, set out, sketchRelated Words characterize, define, label, qualify, represent; demonstrate, illustrate; narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report, tell; display, exhibit, show; hint, suggest; draft, outline, silhouette, trace, vignette; summarize, sum up, touch off; redescribe, reimageNear Antonyms color, distort, falsify, garble, misdescribe, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp

2 to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble Synonyms character, define, depict, describe, characterize, representRelated Words categorize, classify, pigeonhole, type; color, identify, indicate, name, specify; distinguish, individualize, mark, particularize, stamp

3 to present a picture of a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up Synonyms depict, image, picture, representRelated Words delineate, describe, document, render; outline, silhouette, sketch; illustrate, show; diagram; caricature

4 to present a portrayal or performance of gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show Synonyms do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play, actRelated Words depict, dramatize, render, represent; act out, enact, pantomime, playact, role-play, take on; overact, overplay, underplay; ape, clown, ham, imitate, masquerade, mime, mimic, pose (as); star (in); coact, costar