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
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
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Recent Examples of portrayed
In the film, Walter portrayed Chessy, the housekeeper and nanny to Nick Parker (played by Dennis Quaid).
—
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Some have portrayed family caregivers as illegitimately cashing in on government largesse.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026
In the past, Chicago has portrayed multiple East Coast cities — even Santa Monica and European locales.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 15 May 2026
Former Representative Elizabeth Holtzman, one of the co-authors, has portrayed the act as a corrective to the moral failure of refusing entry to many Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
—Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis portrayed her in the 1998 HBO film Gia.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, militant leftists, a small subset of extremist violence in the United States, are portrayed as a threat on par with global terrorist networks such as al-Qaida.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 14 May 2026
In the book, Eric Richins is portrayed as an angel who is always close by.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
The villain-combo movie would put the breathing-apparatus Batman baddie, Bane, back on screen for his first appearance since 2012’s Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight Rises, then portrayed by Tom Hardy.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Some have portrayed family caregivers as illegitimately cashing in on government largesse.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 15 May 2026
In the past, Chicago has portrayed multiple East Coast cities — even Santa Monica and European locales.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 15 May 2026
Former Representative Elizabeth Holtzman, one of the co-authors, has portrayed the act as a corrective to the moral failure of refusing entry to many Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
—Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis portrayed her in the 1998 HBO film Gia.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Meanwhile, militant leftists, a small subset of extremist violence in the United States, are portrayed as a threat on par with global terrorist networks such as al-Qaida.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 14 May 2026
In the book, Eric Richins is portrayed as an angel who is always close by.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
The villain-combo movie would put the breathing-apparatus Batman baddie, Bane, back on screen for his first appearance since 2012’s Christopher Nolan-directed The Dark Knight Rises, then portrayed by Tom Hardy.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
-
As the officers deployed what Wahl described as an active shooter response at the mosque and at an adjacent school, more gunfire was reported blocks away, the chief said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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During a January game on ESPN, for example, a commentator described betting that a specific player would score at least 30 points before a second commentator announced a DraftKings promo code.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Goldschmied exits Daily Blue to launch Goldie, another woman’s jeans brands characterized by innovative production techniques like the use of pigments and garment dyeing.—
Maria Cristina Pavarini,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
The defense has characterized the search of his bag as a violation of his constitutional rights.—
Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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In an odd coincidence that shows how much this kind of story was burning to be told, two movies debuting at major festivals this past year have both depicted the same unlikely gay romance — one involving gritty, hardworking professional truckers living on the road.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
Nagatitan’s name references Naga, a serpent-like being in some Asian religious traditions that is prominently depicted in various Thai temples.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Chris Sanon, the Orlando area’s leader in sacks a year ago, played well in his move to linebacker from edge rusher.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
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He’s only played in four major championships in his career.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The suit says that Cantrell was eventually transferred to Oregon Health & Science University hospital, where doctors immediately recognized his condition as life-threatening, stabilized him and performed multiple surgeries, including amputating his arm up to his shoulder.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
No autopsy was performed after Chad declined, and she was buried within days, per KSL-TV.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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After cards are pulled, their meanings are interpreted through the lens of the reader’s question, circumstances and life history.—
Ziv Epstein,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
Every infectious disease event is now interpreted through the emotional memory of COVID — whether scientifically appropriate or not.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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