as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
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Recent Examples of portrayal
To Neuvel and other critics, such portrayals romanticize euthanasia for mental illness, creating a risk of social contagion.
—
Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
His portrayal of the Creature in ‘Frankenstein’ was heartbreaking, conveying the humanity of his character in a way that moved audiences profoundly.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
For Chen, beauty becomes a way of resisting reductive portrayals of communities defined by poverty.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
In the spoof, the host is dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons — which which won best supporting actress for Amy Madigan’s portrayal of the character — complete with the bright orange hair and white face paint.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
His portrayal of the Creature in ‘Frankenstein’ was heartbreaking, conveying the humanity of his character in a way that moved audiences profoundly.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
For Chen, beauty becomes a way of resisting reductive portrayals of communities defined by poverty.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
In the spoof, the host is dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons — which which won best supporting actress for Amy Madigan’s portrayal of the character — complete with the bright orange hair and white face paint.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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The White House has recently added statues of historical figures to its grounds, including depictions of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin that appeared in the Rose Garden earlier this month.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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In my experience, challenging conventions and presenting a more candid depiction of what troubles our fighting men and women — and their folks back home — brings you more credibility and appreciation than trying to spray perfume on the horrors of the battlefield.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Police urged the public to avoid the area and asked anyone who sees someone matching the description to call 911.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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The game featured an accessible shuttle service; an audio description service; visual help devices, and spaces specifically designed for sensory and autistic disability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The current and former officials, some of whom asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters during an active conflict, paint a portrait of an understaffed government workforce struggling to execute the president's agenda.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
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Auer, as Betty, offers a fleet, brutal portrait of a mother moving through grief, weepily passing from denial to acceptance.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Regardless of how anyone might have felt about the new picture that Einstein’s greatest achievement, the general theory of relativity, brought along with it, the behavior of physical phenomena in the Universe doesn’t lie.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
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The preliminary visa data helps paint a fuller picture of immigration declines in the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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