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 The result is a look at the diversity of the country in contrast with official Soviet portrayals and productions from the same era. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026 Mitte was also honored with the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award at the 2013 Media Access Awards, which recognize inclusive portrayals and employment of people with disabilities in media. — Louis Casiano , Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Lev also added that some online portrayals of rage retreats miss the work that happens beyond the screaming. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 During an interview with writer Tina Brown (below), Charles Spencer responded to one of the journalist’s questions about fictional portrayals of his late sister, the Princess of Wales, who famously died in 1997 at age 36 amid a high-speed car crash. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2026 Some scientists are pushing back against these utopian portrayals. — Christopher Von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026 Artificial intelligence is also improving at warp speed, enabling fake content — including racist and unflattering portrayals of Black politicians and celebrities — to spread more quickly. — New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026 These two novels are just a sampling of recent portrayals of this surreal land of limbo, but there are many more. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 According to some scholarly media critics, the plethora of popular portrayals of polygamy in the FLDS and related groups transforms the subject into a sensationalist spectacle. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
  1. depictions
  2. portraits
  3. descriptions
  4. pictures
Noun
  • So the ability for people to make visual depictions and reach towards cinematic success became more palpable or more accessible.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The term has since become a shorthand for antisemitic depictions of greed and has been condemned for elevating offensive stereotypes about Jewish people.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of depictions
Noun
  • They were never intended to be used on paintings, where two portraits of the same sitter may have major differences in style and technique.
    — Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Punk icon Martin Sorrondeguy of Los Crudos shot portraits of Twisted Teens in Chicago this summer.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of portraits
Noun
  • But there’s a hopeful note buried under the harrowing descriptions.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The documents also included physical descriptions of the accused.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of descriptions
Noun
  • In her hometown of Yefremov, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) south of Moscow and about halfway to the border with Ukraine, Masha’s teacher had asked the class to draw pictures supporting Russian troops.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And there was a photographer who seemed to be taking an endless number of pictures.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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