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
Officials have given conflicting portrayals of the task force's work so far.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
The artist’s portrayals of nude Hindu deities, however, stand accused of offending religious sentiments — a reaction his supporters believe is exacerbated by his Muslim heritage.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Her characters are often versions of herself or friends, and defy traditional portrayals of pregnancy.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Khan and Kajol’s portrayals of the iconic couple have become one of the definitive cinematic representations of love in Indian cinema, maintaining their status as a pop culture touchstone for South Asians worldwide.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Though Halloween episodes are generally about chaotic scenarios, Arthur usually traded in gentle portrayals of juvenile anxiety.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
The artist’s portrayals of nude Hindu deities, however, stand accused of offending religious sentiments — a reaction his supporters believe is exacerbated by his Muslim heritage.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Her characters are often versions of herself or friends, and defy traditional portrayals of pregnancy.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Khan and Kajol’s portrayals of the iconic couple have become one of the definitive cinematic representations of love in Indian cinema, maintaining their status as a pop culture touchstone for South Asians worldwide.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Though Halloween episodes are generally about chaotic scenarios, Arthur usually traded in gentle portrayals of juvenile anxiety.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
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Gone are the incisive and artful depictions of young people from the Asian and Latina women photographers laid off today.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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As with work, depictions of leisure are predominantly set outdoors, and often as solo endeavors.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tombs, anvils, boats, villages, guns, portraits, fiddle toys.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Outsize portraits of all three are hauled down endless streets as crowds of obligatory fans parade their wheelbarrows, shovels and carbines.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Character descriptions can be found below.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
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Readers in South Florida submitted photos and brief descriptions of their furry family members, and two rounds of voting determined the winners.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The video showed dozens of videos and pictures sent to her, all featuring people eating McDonald's fries as a show of solidarity.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Go through a corn maze, sip on apple cider, and take silly pictures with the cardboard cutouts.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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