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 At the same time, only one in four respondents believe current portrayals of Black women of all ages are accurate. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 10 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 Scroll below to see all the actresses behind the most memorable portrayals of Marilyn Monroe over the years. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 29 July 2026 The report suggests that idealized portrayals of dating on social media may be affecting confidence and expectations, in some cases as much as or more than rejection itself. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Forget about military might, imperialism, and portrayals of heroic feats, though. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2026 Some of the first reports indicated that Adebayo threw a punch at Herro’s head before the two were separated, but some league sources have indicated that initial portrayals of the fight were overblown. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 Seeing Black children and their families living ordinary yet robust lives in stories undermines negative portrayals. — Brooke Harris Garad, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
  1. depictions
  2. portraits
  3. descriptions
  4. pictures
Noun
  • The absence of depictions of bows and arrows in many pinturas rupestres may indicate that the groups inhabiting the Serra da Capivara did not use them as weapons.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Although Cassatt would become best known for her depictions of mothers and children, her patrons did not always share that preference.
    — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of depictions
Noun
  • The restaurant is named for American artist John Singer Sargent, a painter who specialized in portraits and landscapes during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Maria Black, only the seventh CEO in ADP’s 77-year history, often lingers before her predecessors’ portraits on the walk to her office.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of portraits
Noun
  • Skinner hunted the Tensas River in the years before 1860, and left vivid descriptions of the wild state of the land at that time.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The reports would also have to include descriptions of the disciplinary action imposed on those students.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of descriptions
Noun
  • He was shown pictures and videos from the prosecution of the state of the house, including blood spatter.
    — Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And while alumni watched from the sideline, the Bruins connected with youth football players on the field during, incorporating them into stretches, signing autographs and taking pictures.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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