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
According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of the event, Cheney was asked how media portrayals might affect his legacy.
—
Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Chenoweth and Menzel’s portrayals of Glinda and Elphaba earned them both Tony Award nominations for best performance by a leading actress in a musical, which Menzel won at the 2004 ceremony, and Wicked hasn’t left the Gershwin Theatre since its premiere in October 2003.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The data also revealed gaps in portrayals of family life and friendship.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Drawing from his years inside Microsoft, Nasso delivers portrayals of tech CEOs that feel less like caricature and more like surgical roasts from someone who’s read through the Slack channels.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 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
Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Chenoweth and Menzel’s portrayals of Glinda and Elphaba earned them both Tony Award nominations for best performance by a leading actress in a musical, which Menzel won at the 2004 ceremony, and Wicked hasn’t left the Gershwin Theatre since its premiere in October 2003.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The data also revealed gaps in portrayals of family life and friendship.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Drawing from his years inside Microsoft, Nasso delivers portrayals of tech CEOs that feel less like caricature and more like surgical roasts from someone who’s read through the Slack channels.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
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This aesthetic is a nod to Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel and its nostalgic depictions of home and comfort.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Nov. 2025
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The documentary's trailer begins with a classic cowboy standoff, which zeroes in on a Black cowboy's face — a shot not often seen in mainstream Wild West depictions.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Spanning from the late short story writer Eudora Welty to the more au courant Zendaya, the portraits were also snapshots of time.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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The area features portraits of past presidents.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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All venues are equipped with accessibility measures including audio descriptions, sign language interpretation and multilingual dubbing.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
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Midwinter Day was a rageful response inspired by Ulysses in its epic descriptions of the quotidian.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For the rest of her images, Kardashian modeled the see-through lace dress in various parts of the island paradise, also including some pictures that were just part of the scenery.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Like William Klein’s pictures, Roversi’s incorporate accidents, light flares, blur, even damage.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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