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
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Recent Examples of portrayals
Critics have also said that political portrayals of Antifa as a unified or centrally directed domestic terror group exaggerate its organization and influence.
—
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Returning, older and maybe a bit wiser to their roles as Finn and Gwen, Thames and McGraw are excellent, both taking their characters into three dimensions and giving them real gravitas unlike a lot of teen portrayals in more by-the-numbers horror sequels.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
In the days after the Sora app was released, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced changes to the app providing rights holders the ability to opt into their likenesses being depicted by AI, rather than such portrayals being allowed by default.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
There are remnants of his portrayals from more than 200 years ago.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
These awards celebrate diverse portrayals of faith and spirituality that are broadly compelling and nuanced.
—Variety Staff, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Each of those seasons sparked conversations around sensational portrayals of murder victims, and Ed Gein has also been stirring up some debate.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Walker’s performance is one of the greatest portrayals of homicidal mania in film history.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The two actors would be considerably different ages in their respective portrayals of Chris — Kilmer was 35 when Heat was released, while DiCaprio will turn 51 next month.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Returning, older and maybe a bit wiser to their roles as Finn and Gwen, Thames and McGraw are excellent, both taking their characters into three dimensions and giving them real gravitas unlike a lot of teen portrayals in more by-the-numbers horror sequels.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
In the days after the Sora app was released, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced changes to the app providing rights holders the ability to opt into their likenesses being depicted by AI, rather than such portrayals being allowed by default.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
There are remnants of his portrayals from more than 200 years ago.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
These awards celebrate diverse portrayals of faith and spirituality that are broadly compelling and nuanced.
—Variety Staff, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Each of those seasons sparked conversations around sensational portrayals of murder victims, and Ed Gein has also been stirring up some debate.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Walker’s performance is one of the greatest portrayals of homicidal mania in film history.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The two actors would be considerably different ages in their respective portrayals of Chris — Kilmer was 35 when Heat was released, while DiCaprio will turn 51 next month.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
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There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
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More recently, women started going to college at higher rates than men, the gender pay gap started to close, women started having children later, LGTBQ rights made strides and body positivity pressed companies to diversify depictions of beautiful people.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His commitment to giving back extends beyond individual portraits to larger community projects and murals that celebrate local culture and resilience.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Oct. 2025
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For a final flourish, guests—all handed CD players loaded with the new album—pose for tintype portraits and press wildflowers into keepsakes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Authorities have not released any descriptions of the shooter.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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This article contains descriptions of transphobic violence.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Those moments, the quiet ones between pictures, are the ones that live on in the images.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
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The photo carousel also included throwback pictures of the couple from over the years, with some dating all the way back to their time together as preschool classmates.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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