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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Nemecek described Rogers as one of the most influential communicators of the 20th century, whose reach extended across journalism, radio, film and public commentary.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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Court records and prior reporting have described allegations involving other women, though not all allegations resulted in guilty pleas.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Rather than a slight to Lane, Lithgow’s win is a sign of the dramatic depth that characterized this otherwise squirrely season.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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It is characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rashes or bumps that appear seven to 14 days after exposure.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Alex was also depicted by both Jahsaiah Williams and Max Fincham in Netflix's drama series based on the case called The Witness, also out June 4.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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De Gelsey always claimed the painting depicted his mother, and hung a study in his London home.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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In addition, the Urban Summit played a leading role in the special election to recall former Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.—
Freddrell Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
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While the men who landed on the beaches of Normandy are remembered each year, Museum officials said the women on the home front played an essential role in making Allied victory possible.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 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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Highly capable professionals often spend enormous amounts of energy replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, and trying to predict how others interpreted their behavior.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Obsession doesn’t seem so interested in concerns such as intimate-partner abuse, although it could easily be interpreted as an allegory for it.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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