1
as in described
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
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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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Recent Examples of portrayed
The actor portrayed Malcolm's younger brother Dewey, known for his smarts and wit.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
When Apollo 11 first landed on the lunar surface, the astronauts portrayed their accomplishment as the realization of a science fictional dream.
—Anastasia Klimchynskaya, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
After filming, Eric Dane, who brilliantly portrayed tortured parent Cal Jacobs, succumbed to the effects of ALS in February of this year.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
To be fair, no one really believes the bluebird future portrayed in FY 2027.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Nick Brandes—portrayed by Mark Tallman—is a former pro athlete, and his season two home leans fully into that identity.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
The actress famously portrayed Kelly Taylor in the original series as well as the 2008 spin-off series, 90210.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In film and television, book clubs are portrayed as a way for women to briefly free themselves from the shackles of domestic responsibility, sticky children, feckless husbands.
—Roxane Gay, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Strong played heir apparent Kendall Roy, with his siblings portrayed by Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Alan Ruck, each vying to inherit the family business.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
When Apollo 11 first landed on the lunar surface, the astronauts portrayed their accomplishment as the realization of a science fictional dream.
—Anastasia Klimchynskaya, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
After filming, Eric Dane, who brilliantly portrayed tortured parent Cal Jacobs, succumbed to the effects of ALS in February of this year.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
To be fair, no one really believes the bluebird future portrayed in FY 2027.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Nick Brandes—portrayed by Mark Tallman—is a former pro athlete, and his season two home leans fully into that identity.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
The actress famously portrayed Kelly Taylor in the original series as well as the 2008 spin-off series, 90210.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
In film and television, book clubs are portrayed as a way for women to briefly free themselves from the shackles of domestic responsibility, sticky children, feckless husbands.
—Roxane Gay, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Strong played heir apparent Kendall Roy, with his siblings portrayed by Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Alan Ruck, each vying to inherit the family business.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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The contract included an up-front payment of $3 million, which Shields described as a signing bonus and has potential for significantly higher earnings through revenue sharing.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Residents inside the building described being jolted awake by the impact.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Democratic officials who led impeachment efforts against Noem characterized her removal as necessary due to her incompetence and mismanagement, focusing on her failure to execute her duties effectively rather than framing her dismissal within broader patterns.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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The most recent budget crunches have been characterized by the majority Democrats as a battle against a structural deficit exacerbated by the constraints of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ordinary humans like Stephen’s selfish boss are depicted as giant walking eggs, while others are proportioned like bobble heads.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
11 Apr. 2026
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Duchamp also penciled in the back of the young girl’s hair in a mirror depicted in the ad.—
Howard Halle,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Arthur would have looked very different had another actor played him, according to the filmmaker.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
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Suffice it to say that eventually the tale of childhood catches up with the adult Sasha (played by Amy Zimmer), a filmmaker, who attempts to make sense of her past and Jeremy’s fate by undertaking her own investigation, at several decades’ remove.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Harris performed slightly better than Fuller in a special election on March 10, but neither secured a majority of the vote in a crowded field of candidates, forcing a runoff election.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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McClure didn’t include invoices for work performed by David Westland, who represents SSCVA Board Chairman Andy Qunell, Treasurer Matt Maloney, board members Brent Brashier and Matt Schuffert, and former member Tom Dabertin as individuals in the case.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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None of this should be interpreted as a harbinger of doom and/or looming disenfranchisement for CBS, which is set to embark on its 71st consecutive year of broadcasting the Masters into our living rooms.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Experts say the findings should be interpreted cautiously because the data is anonymous, unverified, and doesn’t include a comparison group.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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