portray

verb

pȯr-ˈtrā How to pronounce portray (audio)
Definition of portraynext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 portray Some readers might remember that Mary (portrayed by Skywalker Hughes in the show) does eventually go blind in the first chapter of On the Shores of Silver Lake due to Scarlett fever. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 July 2026 The story portrays the lives of adolescents today through their own eyes, allowing their voices and perspectives to shape the narrative in a genuine and convincing way. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2026 The attempts to save Platner in the high stakes campaign to defeat Republican incumbent Susan Collins involved portraying Platner’s accusers, women, as vengeful liars. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 Butlers, once portrayed as buttoned-up, silver tray-carrying domestics, now manage complex staff, technology, security and logistics across multiple properties. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
  1. describe
  2. characterize
  3. depict
  4. play
  5. represent
  6. perform
  7. interpret
  8. do
Verb
  • Fars described the sites as a forward headquarters for US Central Command’s land forces.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The first victim — identified Wednesday by the medical examiner as 79-year-old Clifford Boisa of Sutter County — has been described in news reports as the boat captain’s brother.
    — Michael McGough Updated July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of describe
Verb
  • According to Harvard Health, Menière's disease is a condition characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear, causing damage to some of the delicate structures in the inner ear.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The lawsuit also references several actions taken by board members that Obeng characterized as circumventing his authority.
    — Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • Dalí included references to major events in Western history; for example, the Ten of Swords card depicts the stabbing of Julius Caesar, while the Queen of Cups is a jokey vandalism of François Clouet’s portrait Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • The discovery of the painting, depicting the interior of Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and likely by Dutch Golden Age painter Hendrick van der Burgh, has an unusual history, according to De Telegraaf, which first reported the news.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of depict
Verb
  • Haiti became the first team in FIFA history to qualify without having played one game at home due to gangs’ takeover of its national stadium and the violence in Port-au-Prince.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • At issue is whether these modern rapid-fire rifles fit within the history of the gun rights protected by the 2nd Amendment or instead represent a new and dangerous threat to public safety that was unknown in 1791.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • Attorney Ben Crump, who’s representing Wells’ family, said he’s dismayed by the lack of clear details that have emerged in the case.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of represent
Verb
  • But for many Georgians who volunteered, worked, performed or attended the Games, the memories that have endured are far more personal.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • One of Ramboll’s innovations is to address reactive power, a component of electricity that does not perform useful work but is essential in maintaining electrical and magnetic fields and controlling voltage levels.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • The concerns now being raised by faculty should not be interpreted as proof that admissions policies have failed, and the causes of declining academic preparation extend well beyond admissions offices.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • For Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer, the race will be interpreted through the lens of their relative influence as Democratic Party power brokers.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Definition of interpret
Verb
  • The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The band is forced into doing take after take in his quest to fully convey his own emotions.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

portraitures
portray
portrayal
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Cite this Entry

“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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