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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portrayed
While Raman portrayed herself as the focus of attacks from both opponents, Bass’ campaign rejected that framing as a distraction from her debate performance and City Council record.
—
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 8 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
Superintendent Julious Lawson celebrated the campaign the district undertook to overhaul its data collection and monitoring process, which had portrayed the district in a very grim light.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Lu’s lawyer, John Carman portrayed the case as a mundane bureaucratic blip, not an international spy thriller.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Because certain members portrayed didn’t leave expansive journals, Fehrman sometimes has to rely on conjecture or push his imaginative reconstruction too far.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 May 2026
Pratt is portrayed as Batman in the video, swooping in to save the day.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Colter, who portrayed Cage, and Finn Jones, who played Danny Rand, were seen reprising their roles.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
McKidd has portrayed the trauma surgeon since the Season 5 premiere in 2008.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 8 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
Superintendent Julious Lawson celebrated the campaign the district undertook to overhaul its data collection and monitoring process, which had portrayed the district in a very grim light.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Lu’s lawyer, John Carman portrayed the case as a mundane bureaucratic blip, not an international spy thriller.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Because certain members portrayed didn’t leave expansive journals, Fehrman sometimes has to rely on conjecture or push his imaginative reconstruction too far.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 May 2026
Pratt is portrayed as Batman in the video, swooping in to save the day.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Colter, who portrayed Cage, and Finn Jones, who played Danny Rand, were seen reprising their roles.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
McKidd has portrayed the trauma surgeon since the Season 5 premiere in 2008.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
-
South Africa's health department had said around 150 tourists were on board at the time of the outbreak, while online tour operators said the Hondius — described as a specialist polar cruise ship — usually travels with around 70 crew members.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
His name shot to the national stage when McBath described his case during a congressional hearing with then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at the beginning of March.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
And yet, when Obama won the Presidency, Bush greeted him with graceful comments of welcome, and then embarked on a retirement characterized by reticence.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Botstein has consistently characterized his relationship with Epstein as being focused solely on fundraising.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The mural depicted a wigged judge attacking a protester with his gavel.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
The works depicted broken figures staggering toward the viewer in ragged uniforms — in distorted sizes, giant hands and small heads.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Celtics played without Tatum after he was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff with left knee stiffness.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ella was explaining to my mother why the teacher had sent a note home with her and recounting how her friend Stacy had played kitchen with a new girl during free time at school and allowed Ella to join them only for the cleanup part.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Some of the greatest arias in the genre, performed flawlessly by Jonathan Tetelman.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Blue Origin New Glenn mission on payload Blue Ring’s first mission with initial injection into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), with additional services performed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Otherwise, your silence could be interpreted as anger or some other emotion that makes future correspondence awkward.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
-
Many users in the city also complained online about confusion over how the rules should be interpreted.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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