portrayals

noun

plural of portrayal
as in depictions
a vivid representation in words of someone or something his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 portrayals Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on presidential portrayals and summer sips. — FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Google became embroiled in a prior controversy in February 2024 after its Gemini text-to-image tool produced portrayals of racially diverse German WW2 soldiers. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 Civic Life, showing artists’ portrayals of experience in the courthouse, the polling place, the political headquarters, and elsewhere. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Researchers said participants wanted content creators, influencers and television and film producers to offer more nuanced and authentic portrayals of religion and spirituality. — City News Service, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 Growing up, Schoenbrun sadly got used to seeing negative portrayals of trans characters in films. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 Jeremy Davies delivers one of the better, more charismatic portrayals of Manson in this second adaptation of Helter Skelter, which aired on CBS in 2004. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026 Film portrayals, even or perhaps especially powerful ones that change the legal landscape, often leave out the background socioeconomic considerations that shape individual decisions. — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 Receiving acclaim for those realistic portrayals still doesn’t feel real to Infiniti. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
  1. depictions
  2. portraits
  3. descriptions
  4. pictures
Noun
  • But unlike the Peter Farrelly film, By Any Means — which was directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn — isn’t interested in cloying depictions of interracial high jinks and bonding.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Museum of Modern Art rejected her films because of their depictions of lesbian lovemaking, Hammer claimed in an archival recording included by O’Connor.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of depictions
Noun
  • The brand has also collaborated with photographer Nan Goldin on a series of portraits featuring friends who have been part of its story, while looking back to its beginnings with a re-edition denim collection.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Similar reactions have played out online around the trend, with some users sharing retro portraits while others condemn the use of AI or criticize people who take issue with it.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of portraits
Noun
  • In the days that followed, the news footage and descriptions of the devastation were haunting and omnipresent.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Even among experts, descriptions of the Langlands program sound nothing alike.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of descriptions
Noun
  • Lux is drawn back to the old pictures and voice notes on his phone, while Mille stares at the WhatsApp chat with her sister as if waiting for a response.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Beloved Pets Ofrenda had nearly 2,000 pictures of pets on display last year, Barreiro says.
    — Yvonne Villasenor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of pictures

Browse Nearby Words

portrayal
portrayals
portrayed
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Cite this Entry

“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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