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 special, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience, featured an in-depth interview with star Miley Cyrus, and came twenty years to the day that the pop star portrayed the alter ego blonde musician on Disney Channel.
—
Peter White, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
But defense attorneys argued the protests weren’t as peaceful as plaintiffs’ attorneys portrayed, that officers’ actions were justified, and that the individual officers named in the suit should be entitled to public official immunity and dismissed from the lawsuit.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The irony is that a minority once viewed as filled with sissies and losers is now portrayed as filled with bullies and power brokers, and straight people, especially men, seem to perceive themselves as the weak and afraid ones.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
But, even then, El Mercurio and other Chilean media downplayed his offenses and portrayed his dictatorship as a driver of a successful national economy.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2026
Artemis is often portrayed as independent, fiercely protective and closely connected to nature — qualities that resonate with NASA's vision for a sustainable lunar program and mission designed to explore uncharted territory.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
In many shows or movies about his father, he wasn’t portrayed correctly.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
As the actor tells Glamour, most were written according to stereotypes and portrayed as cold, unfeeling, aggressive, or robotic.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Peter White, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
But defense attorneys argued the protests weren’t as peaceful as plaintiffs’ attorneys portrayed, that officers’ actions were justified, and that the individual officers named in the suit should be entitled to public official immunity and dismissed from the lawsuit.
—Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The irony is that a minority once viewed as filled with sissies and losers is now portrayed as filled with bullies and power brokers, and straight people, especially men, seem to perceive themselves as the weak and afraid ones.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
But, even then, El Mercurio and other Chilean media downplayed his offenses and portrayed his dictatorship as a driver of a successful national economy.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2026
Artemis is often portrayed as independent, fiercely protective and closely connected to nature — qualities that resonate with NASA's vision for a sustainable lunar program and mission designed to explore uncharted territory.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
In many shows or movies about his father, he wasn’t portrayed correctly.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
As the actor tells Glamour, most were written according to stereotypes and portrayed as cold, unfeeling, aggressive, or robotic.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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The primary suite is described as storage-rich and spa-like, with multiple closets and a bath built for lingering.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The clip, shared by her owner, shows the golden retriever—now named Kaiko—settling into a bedroom on what was described as her very first night living indoors.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Venus, despite being similar to Earth in size and composition, has an extremely hostile environment characterized by dense carbon dioxide, thick sulfuric acid clouds, surface pressures around 90 bar, and temperatures exceeding 460°C.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The statues depicted neuroscientists, paleontologists, sports researchers and even a shark biologist.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The themes depicted in the images, such as bravery and resilience, will inspire the final design of the memorial.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Timberwolves also played without starting forward Jaden McDaniels (right knee soreness) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf soreness).—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Neither Green nor Booker played in the fourth quarter as the Suns cruised to the victory.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dion last performed in Paris during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, singing from the balcony of the Eiffel Tower.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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In 2023 and 2024, the band performed just down the road from Billy Bob’s Texas at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The store’s workers allegedly started showing the video to customers, which was interpreted by Pierce’s family as disrespect to the dead, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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However, a registered nurse still needs to have ultrasound results read and interpreted by an advanced practitioner, such as a physician.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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