1
as in described
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in played
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portrayed
Following the events of the first film, the Federation’s Man Hunters are now portrayed more openly as the clear villains.
—
Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Lensed once again by Italian photographic duo Luca and Alessandro Morelli, known as The Morelli Brothers, at a Los Angeles studio, Peltz Beckham is portrayed against a dusty pink backdrop illuminated by cinematic light donning Genny’s feminine designs for spring.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
For four seasons, Bridgerton has portrayed Eloise as a spinster who, unlike her siblings, may never marry or find the love of her life.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2026
Married couple Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma — who are portrayed by Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley — didn't appear in the first part of the fourth season of the Netflix period series.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Eloise is portrayed by Claudia Jessie, who is quite a few years older than her character at 36.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
Thapthmthong portrayed Gaitok the security guard in Season 3 of The White Lotus.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
New information from the show’s calculating power broker Sinatra, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson, revealed otherwise, sending Xavier into unfamiliar territory above ground.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
In the wake of her parents’ separation, Lambert sketches the effects of divorce on children through the character of Pine’s daughter, delicately portrayed by Abby Ryder Fortson.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Lensed once again by Italian photographic duo Luca and Alessandro Morelli, known as The Morelli Brothers, at a Los Angeles studio, Peltz Beckham is portrayed against a dusty pink backdrop illuminated by cinematic light donning Genny’s feminine designs for spring.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
For four seasons, Bridgerton has portrayed Eloise as a spinster who, unlike her siblings, may never marry or find the love of her life.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 29 Jan. 2026
Married couple Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma — who are portrayed by Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley — didn't appear in the first part of the fourth season of the Netflix period series.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Eloise is portrayed by Claudia Jessie, who is quite a few years older than her character at 36.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
Thapthmthong portrayed Gaitok the security guard in Season 3 of The White Lotus.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
New information from the show’s calculating power broker Sinatra, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson, revealed otherwise, sending Xavier into unfamiliar territory above ground.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
In the wake of her parents’ separation, Lambert sketches the effects of divorce on children through the character of Pine’s daughter, delicately portrayed by Abby Ryder Fortson.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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The suspect is described as a man about six feet tall, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Zar described the reopening as both joyful and reflective, acknowledging the emotional weight carried by families who lived through evacuation, loss, and uncertainty.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Analysts and former diplomats told CNN that successive British governments have failed to strike the correct balance on China, resulting in a policy characterized by mistrust, skittishness and incoherence.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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Analysts say the wealth surge is also reshaping cities and creating a kind of bubble culture, where the most affluent are increasingly leading ultra-exclusive lifestyles characterized by amenities like private resorts, tailored wellness services and VIP social clubs.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those tips led to the investigation at Eriksen's home and workplace, where images that depicted the abuse of infants and toddlers were discovered.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Atop Connecticut’s state Capitol building, Captain John Mason, depicted in his 1637 attack on the Pequots in Mystic, is enshrined among the state’s founding fathers.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Curry, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and It, played serial killer and rapist Billy Flynn in the fifth and sixth seasons of the show.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Crowder, a key component to the Heat’s run to the 2020 NBA Finals, last played in the league last season with the Sacramento Kings.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over seven months, the quartet performed 81 shows across three continents to more than 2 million attendees, cementing their status as the highest-grossing touring act among female K-pop groups.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The update also nods to her close personal and creative connection with her goddaughter Cyrus, who performed the song in a high-profile appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 2021.—
Russ Penuell,
Billboard,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even the death of Renee Good, caught on video from multiple angles, was largely interpreted in partisan ways.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
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It could also be interpreted as where the sand ends and vegetation begins, which separates public and private property.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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