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
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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 first adaptation of author Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel came in 1931, when Boris Karloff portrayed the monster in Frankenstein.
—
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
On the big screen, Harford cared for Sandra Dee’s Rosalie Stocker in The Wild and the Innocent (1959) and portrayed the opportunistic older sister of Natalie Wood’s unstable title character in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), the melodrama directed by Robert Mulligan.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Bernard Fox portrayed the overzealous fighter pilot Captain Winston Havelock.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
But while the war in Sudan has most often been portrayed as an internal conflict between two warring generals, the murky involvement of several foreign powers makes the conflict far more complex – and deadly.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Helmed by Fuse Kittisak Cheewasatjasakun, the series follows two female architects, portrayed by Kao Supassara Thanachart and Jane Methika Jiranorraphat, whose romantic relationship deteriorates into professional animosity after one uses the other’s designs in a competition without permission.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
An eager, fanboying Guiteau, portrayed with impeccable precision by Matthew Macfadyen, emerges from a crowd to shake the man’s hand.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Sometimes, the expiration of a CBA is portrayed as the start of a labor dispute, but that’s often not true.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In Ibsen’s play, Eilert is a recovering alcoholic and accomplished writer whose life has turned around thanks to his new girlfriend, Thea (portrayed in the movie by Imogen Poots).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
On the big screen, Harford cared for Sandra Dee’s Rosalie Stocker in The Wild and the Innocent (1959) and portrayed the opportunistic older sister of Natalie Wood’s unstable title character in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), the melodrama directed by Robert Mulligan.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Bernard Fox portrayed the overzealous fighter pilot Captain Winston Havelock.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
But while the war in Sudan has most often been portrayed as an internal conflict between two warring generals, the murky involvement of several foreign powers makes the conflict far more complex – and deadly.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Helmed by Fuse Kittisak Cheewasatjasakun, the series follows two female architects, portrayed by Kao Supassara Thanachart and Jane Methika Jiranorraphat, whose romantic relationship deteriorates into professional animosity after one uses the other’s designs in a competition without permission.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
An eager, fanboying Guiteau, portrayed with impeccable precision by Matthew Macfadyen, emerges from a crowd to shake the man’s hand.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Sometimes, the expiration of a CBA is portrayed as the start of a labor dispute, but that’s often not true.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
In Ibsen’s play, Eilert is a recovering alcoholic and accomplished writer whose life has turned around thanks to his new girlfriend, Thea (portrayed in the movie by Imogen Poots).
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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The platform, best described as part creative incubator and part distribution hub, is designed for the mobile attention economy without sacrificing substance or style.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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In a phone call last spring, Kashunamiut School District Superintendent Jeanne Campbell described a host of problems related to the Chevak school's boiler and broken water pipes that impacted the fire sprinkler system.—
Emily Schwing,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Steering away from the Banda music that has characterized her sound and biggest hits, the Mexican-American singer experiments with reggae, R&B, and folk cumbia on this eight-track set that also includes powerful audio affirmations by the singer.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Nov. 2025
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The two-hour-plus interview was characterized by Carlson’s failure to directly challenge Fuentes’s points.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As depicted in the film, the real Kelley also got to know Goring’s family, delivering letters from the German military man to his wife.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Hatchie is the project of Harriette Pilbeam, one part dream-pop, another shoegaze, and which, earlier in her career, the Australian singer and songwriter depicted as a creative mashup of Cocteau Twins with Kylie Minogue.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There were rows of records, stacks of photos and the original Midnite Jamboree stage where legends like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Garth Brooks once played.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Nov. 2025
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In the iconic film, Spacek — who stars in the new film Die, My Love — played the title character, a misfit high schooler.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wearing a Tom Ford tuxedo, the prince posed on the green carpet alongside singers Mendes and Minogue, who both performed at his late mother Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday London concert in 2018.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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That was when the practice began of parents withholding food from children who performed badly on their pre-exams as an incentive to study harder.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Kusama interpreted this change as a spontaneous flash of beauty.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Harbour also recently made headlines following the release of estranged wife Lily Allen's latest album, West End Girl, which contained references many interpreted as pointing toward alleged unfaithfulness on Harbour's part, though the actor isn't explicitly named in the lyrics.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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