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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portrayed
Critics have portrayed the idea as anti-religious and ahistorical ever since the Supreme Court embraced it in 1947.
—
Steven K. Green,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Fallon held up a 25-year-old photo of the actress and producer — who originally portrayed Elle Woods — rocking a spaghetti-strap pink fishnet mermaid dress.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The main character, Andy Sachs, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, showcases an honest and open style of leadership.
—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Aliens, for the most part, have been portrayed as devastating lifeforms that are a threat to Earth.
—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
That's meant to safeguard the summit, but also to display strength and underscore Turkey’s commitment to the military alliance, even as it is often portrayed as an outlier within it.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Miller is mostly effective as the young Washington of the title, more of an action star vibe than the George Washington Hollywood has sparsely portrayed in his older years and as President.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 July 2026
She’s portrayed as misguided and misunderstood, not evil.
—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Steven K. Green,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Fallon held up a 25-year-old photo of the actress and producer — who originally portrayed Elle Woods — rocking a spaghetti-strap pink fishnet mermaid dress.
—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The main character, Andy Sachs, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, showcases an honest and open style of leadership.
—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Aliens, for the most part, have been portrayed as devastating lifeforms that are a threat to Earth.
—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
1 July 2026
That's meant to safeguard the summit, but also to display strength and underscore Turkey’s commitment to the military alliance, even as it is often portrayed as an outlier within it.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Miller is mostly effective as the young Washington of the title, more of an action star vibe than the George Washington Hollywood has sparsely portrayed in his older years and as President.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 July 2026
She’s portrayed as misguided and misunderstood, not evil.
—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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One person, described only as a male, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to fire officials.
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Investigators previously described the suspect as a man, but during a news conference on Friday, prosecutors said Berezovsk was allegedly dressed as a man during the package bomb attack.
Verb
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Stark White The past few years have been characterized by warm, off-white tones, and in 2026, designers agree that this trend is not set to change.
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The lands historically now known as Ukraine were occupied by the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth for centuries, and many Ukrainians view their nation’s genesis as the rebellion of Cossack Hetman Boghdan Khmelnitsky against the commonwealth, an event characterized by massacres of Poles and Jews.
Verb
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This image combines X-ray data from Chandra along with optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope, depicted here in blue.
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Trump captioned his Monday, June 29 post on Truth Social, which depicted the eagle with its wings open wide and carrying a stars and stripes shield.
Verb
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When Doncic played for the Dallas Mavericks and led them to the 2024 NBA Finals, his two centers — Derek Lively and Daniel Gafford — were exceptional in their roles as lob threats, blocking shots and rolling to the rim.
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The rivalry is so intense that overnight in Mexico, fans played instruments, sang, and made as much noise as possible outside the Ecuador team hotel to deprive the squad of sleep.
Verb
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Among the hundreds of surgeries performed over three decades by ElAttrache, his patients include the four 2024 MLB most valuable player and Cy Young Award winners — Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal.
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The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery reports that the average number of hair restoration surgeries performed per member in the past year is 178.
Verb
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This column is designed to be educational and informational only and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
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This was offered as a way of talking about the Spanish capital on the whole, but it has been widely interpreted as flirting with 15-time Champions League winners Los Blancos.
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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