1
as in described
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterized
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in depicted
to present a picture of
a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up
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4
as in played
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portrayed
During the late-night comedy sketch series, Teller portrayed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo alongside Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa and Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani, in a mock New York City mayoral race debate for the Cold Open.
—
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Sometimes, the expiration of a CBA is portrayed as the start of a labor dispute, but that’s often not true.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In Ibsen’s play, Eilert is a recovering alcoholic and accomplished writer whose life has turned around thanks to his new girlfriend, Thea (portrayed in the movie by Imogen Poots).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Among Franco’s other movies about worlds in turmoil is New Order, the 2020 Spanish language drama that portrayed a coup d’état in which the wealthy ruling class is replaced by a militarized regime, and which bowed in Venice.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Charlize Theron portrayed Wuornos and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
This is the first time Cargill has been portrayed as a heel on WWE TV.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Cheerleading is often portrayed as a performance of effortless perfection and symmetry.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
He's been portrayed as a ruthless businessman, an evil scientist, and a vain politician, while actors have played the supervillain with differing strains of campy flash and genuine menace.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Sometimes, the expiration of a CBA is portrayed as the start of a labor dispute, but that’s often not true.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In Ibsen’s play, Eilert is a recovering alcoholic and accomplished writer whose life has turned around thanks to his new girlfriend, Thea (portrayed in the movie by Imogen Poots).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Among Franco’s other movies about worlds in turmoil is New Order, the 2020 Spanish language drama that portrayed a coup d’état in which the wealthy ruling class is replaced by a militarized regime, and which bowed in Venice.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Charlize Theron portrayed Wuornos and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
This is the first time Cargill has been portrayed as a heel on WWE TV.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Cheerleading is often portrayed as a performance of effortless perfection and symmetry.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
He's been portrayed as a ruthless businessman, an evil scientist, and a vain politician, while actors have played the supervillain with differing strains of campy flash and genuine menace.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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What are the criteria for being described as this sexy?—
Choire Sicha,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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In the early 2010s, Courtois was part of the team that discovered and described the Laniakea supercluster of galaxies to which our Milky Way belongs.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Israel’s first occupation of Gaza was characterized by war crimes, massacres, and expulsions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Godard’s ode to American movies that required only a girl and a gun begat freak-flag-flying films like Slacker, which begat Linklater’s career, characterized by him following his own muse.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Russian parents created and shared a video that depicted them tattooing their screaming 1-year-old child to win an apartment in an online giveaway contest hosted by Belarusian streamer Mellstroy, according to The Sun.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The butterfly was associated with a male generative power, as depicted on Greek vases and Roman engravings.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Not in any explicit way—my father wasn’t the cranky, alcoholic ex-minor league baseball player who drove around Los Angeles with his pool cleaning equipment in the back of his Cadillac convertible played by Matthau.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Verma played a key role in setting the Proteas a challenging target after the final was delayed by two hours because of rain.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wearing a Tom Ford tuxedo, the prince posed on the green carpet alongside singers Mendes and Minogue, who both performed at his late mother Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday London concert in 2018.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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That was when the practice began of parents withholding food from children who performed badly on their pre-exams as an incentive to study harder.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On multiple occasions, Turner’s comments in interviews have been interpreted as shots taken at the Pacers’ fans.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Following that performance, a Democratic win in the race for governor could be interpreted as a warning sign for the GOP.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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