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
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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
Based on the real-life author, the second-oldest Ingalls daughter is portrayed as a tomboy and animal lover with a big heart.
—
Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Set in Punjab, the series centres on two brothers – Bobby and Bunty Manocha, played by Shaheer and Mishra respectively – whose lives are upended after Bunty vanishes following an encounter with a powerful figure named Goldy, portrayed by Kapoor.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 June 2026
Hutcherson starred as Peeta Mellark opposite Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen, while Banks portrayed the flamboyant Capitol escort Effie Trinket.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Several other books about 2024 portrayed the Bidens as insulated and stubborn.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 11 June 2026
Only the boogeyman version is portrayed.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The Social Reckoning follows the 2021 leak of internal Facebook documents by whistleblower Frances Haugen, portrayed by Mikey Madison.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026
Dozens of people submitted letters on Roberts’ behalf to dispute how he has been portrayed and provide details of his positive impact.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Andrew Scott famously played him in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ hit BBC drama Sherlock and he has also been portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jared Harris, Dougray Scott, Eric Porter and Dónal Finn down the years.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Set in Punjab, the series centres on two brothers – Bobby and Bunty Manocha, played by Shaheer and Mishra respectively – whose lives are upended after Bunty vanishes following an encounter with a powerful figure named Goldy, portrayed by Kapoor.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 June 2026
Hutcherson starred as Peeta Mellark opposite Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen, while Banks portrayed the flamboyant Capitol escort Effie Trinket.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Several other books about 2024 portrayed the Bidens as insulated and stubborn.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 11 June 2026
Only the boogeyman version is portrayed.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The Social Reckoning follows the 2021 leak of internal Facebook documents by whistleblower Frances Haugen, portrayed by Mikey Madison.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026
Dozens of people submitted letters on Roberts’ behalf to dispute how he has been portrayed and provide details of his positive impact.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Andrew Scott famously played him in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ hit BBC drama Sherlock and he has also been portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jared Harris, Dougray Scott, Eric Porter and Dónal Finn down the years.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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Last May, after playing through pain in his right hand, a slumping Alvarez was sidelined with what the team described as a muscle strain.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Rondeau described her father as a devoted dad who took her to volleyball and softball practice, went camping with her and taught her about the outdoors.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The ambition is laudable and has characterized this institution from the beginning.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
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Yes, their courtship was singular, sweeping and at times volatile, but I was mostly struck by the acute disconnect between the way they were posthumously characterized by friends and family and the often misogynistic, reductive narrative that surrounded them at the time.—
Connor Hines,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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That earlier photo had depicted Jackie Kennedy in the same situation, forced to care for her two children alone after her husband's assassination.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
13 June 2026
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The slow dance came to a climax on June 9 — which is depicted in the far right panel — when skywatchers worldwide were treated to a dramatic planetary conjunction as Jupiter and Venus shone less than 2 degrees away from one another above the western horizon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The game was played in Texas but Knicks fans gathered at watch parties across the city to witness the team battle back in the fourth quarter to take the title.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Although the championship-clinching game was played thousands of miles away, police maintained a large presence around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Two groups of ultras performed choreographed routines of chants and jumping, backed by drums and trumpets.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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For example, trick roping performed by horse riders that don’t actually lasso animals or choreographed riding to music are not included in the ban.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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So, many governments and corporations have interpreted the principle loosely, or even disregarded it entirely.—
Buket Altınçelep,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
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Some interpreted these remarks as tacit speculation about the possibility of life on other planets.—
Krysta Fauria,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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