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
Relevance
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
Conversations between people and land are as alive as human dialogue in these earnest portrayals of gathering and return.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Surrounding Fox’s keen central performance are a number of skilled and sensitive portrayals, in particular Swoosie Kurtz, as a lonely co-worker who is genuinely concerned about her young cohort’s well-being.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite their work, the frontier myth continues to influence popular histories and portrayals of the West in media, ranging from books to movies to video games.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The plays are characterized by their uncompromising portrayals of the Black experience and the playwright’s dexterity of language.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Bigger Picture for Comedians During both his podcast and stand-up appearances, Jonasi’s commentary extended beyond the translation itself into a broader critique of film portrayals of Africa.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Laura’s willing absorption into Betty’s tranquil life of gardening and cooking is swift and pleasant — believably so thanks to the acute portrayals of Beer and Auer.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
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
For Chen, beauty becomes a way of resisting reductive portrayals of communities defined by poverty.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Surrounding Fox’s keen central performance are a number of skilled and sensitive portrayals, in particular Swoosie Kurtz, as a lonely co-worker who is genuinely concerned about her young cohort’s well-being.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite their work, the frontier myth continues to influence popular histories and portrayals of the West in media, ranging from books to movies to video games.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The plays are characterized by their uncompromising portrayals of the Black experience and the playwright’s dexterity of language.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The Bigger Picture for Comedians During both his podcast and stand-up appearances, Jonasi’s commentary extended beyond the translation itself into a broader critique of film portrayals of Africa.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Laura’s willing absorption into Betty’s tranquil life of gardening and cooking is swift and pleasant — believably so thanks to the acute portrayals of Beer and Auer.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
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
For Chen, beauty becomes a way of resisting reductive portrayals of communities defined by poverty.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
-
Currently, creating those graphic depictions of children is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Humor about the pickle often stems from its distinctiveness—its tangy, assertive flavor and odd appearance lend themselves to exaggerated, whimsical depictions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Masses of pro-government supporters gathered in Tehran last night, holding flags and portraits of Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Indian portraits, too, were typically studio-based, meaning that individuals were literally removed from any landscape.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The author’s dialogue is spot-on, and so are descriptions of both states.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The endless descriptions of the sand’s pervasiveness, its grit, and its dryness, instills a real fear.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two television cameras looking down from an altitude of about 450 miles made initial pictures of earthly cloud patterns on the satellite’s second orbitable trip.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After walking into her personal office to find Gordon redecorating the room with pictures of herself, Gomez sits down to review her assistant's to-do list for the day.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
