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
The late Catherine O'Hara and Annie Murphy both won Emmys when the series swept the comedy categories in 2020 for their portrayals of Moira and Alexis Rose, who were forced to move to a small town after a scamming business manager made off with their fortune.
—
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet these portrayals carry both opportunity and responsibility.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet these portrayals carry both opportunity and responsibility.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
-
The flashbacks to Emma’s adolescence, which Borgli films with some curiosity, are far more engaging than the film’s depictions of the chatty Boston bourgeoisie, which exude self-satisfied certainty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
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Icons are ancient works of religious art, often depictions of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, saints and scenes from the Bible.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For instance, portraits of Kim II Sung, the founder and supreme leader of North Korea, and Kim Jong Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un, are mandatory in public places like train stations, hospitals, schools and factories.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
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Centred on intimate portraits of women rebuilding their lives, the film follows individuals shaping a future in the shadow of a shared past.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Culin also consulted with other scholars and collectors to produce his final report 14 years later, which includes over 1,100 illustrations and descriptions of 239 sets of dice from 130 different tribes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
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The dark side featured the rise of Hitler, descriptions of Kristallnacht — when Nazi youth ransacked Jewish homes and stores in 1938 — and Nazi plans for the Final Solution, or genocide of all European Jews.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of those pictures was with Luca Gamauf, a university student.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The management also tossed pictures of his kids.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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