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
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3
as in to depict
to present a picture of
a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up
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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
Jacobson opened up to Variety earlier this year about the unique challenge of casting a young Haymitch, portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original four films.
—
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
The wedding is a wild affair, and I was genuinely fascinated by the care that went into portraying it all on-screen.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Tim Burton's version of the movie saw Keaton as a dark, surly Batman, shaping the way the character would be portrayed for the next three decades.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Oscar winner portrays a former president leading an investigation in the aftermath of a deadly national cyber attack.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
The wedding is a wild affair, and I was genuinely fascinated by the care that went into portraying it all on-screen.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Tim Burton's version of the movie saw Keaton as a dark, surly Batman, shaping the way the character would be portrayed for the next three decades.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Oscar winner portrays a former president leading an investigation in the aftermath of a deadly national cyber attack.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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President Trump describes his administration's sweeping new tariffs on other countries as a tool for accomplishing a range of key economic goals, including reviving U.S. manufacturing.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
1 May 2025
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Holden’s family described the ordeal on a website dedicated to securing his release.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The Down-to-Earth Pope In a historic moment characterized by autocrats and would-be autocrats, Francis was the antithesis of a strongman.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
21 Apr. 2025
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In today's business environment, characterized by rapid technological evolution, application modernization has become an essential strategic step to ensure the competitiveness and efficiency of organizations.—
Manuel Sanchez,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Both have been about quote, unquote, love, even though neither show is depicting true love.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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The ways that sound, emanating from speakers or depicted on album covers, was interpolated with the visual was indeed one of the exhibition’s most entrancing aspects and radical critical interventions.—
Ivy G. Wilson,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Vick had a career-high 540 yards rushing in 1988 and played only four NFL seasons.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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The talented corner had a chance to build his draft stock even more in 2024, but unfortunately, Revel only played in three games due to an injury.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jake Elder, Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips, and Bob Welborn are on this year’s Pioneer Ballot, representing those whose careers began at least 60 years ago.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2025
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For 2025, the total number of companies for which emissions data was obtained increased from approximately 750 in the previous year to around 900 in the current year, representing a 25% growth.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Their offense, though, is performing below league average.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Each task is repeated about 50 times, and patients might perform a total of 300 repetitions in a single session, Subramani Seetharama, a rehabilitation specialist at Hartford HealthCare, said.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over time, these small moments of silence and avoidance replace honest conversation, leaving both partners to interpret each other’s emotions and needs without asking directly.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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And finally, within my inner ear, another membrane vibrates in response and sends signals to my brain, which interprets them as music.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Once you're done, gently rinse away all shaving cream with warm water, and pat dry with a clean towel. 7.—
Megan Gustashaw,
Glamour,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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