1
as in described
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
In First Steps, Galactus will be portrayed by actor Ralph Ineson (Nosferatu), wearing actual purple-and-blue armor; the costume workshop on set is full of various attempts at making his signature look work.
—
EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In that film, Swank portrayed an up-and-coming boxer who is taken under the wing of an aging coach, played by Clint Eastwood.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Schulz portrayed his Peanuts gang as small adults; Feiffer’s adults are all neurotic overgrown children.
—Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
He's been portrayed as a ruthless businessman, an evil scientist, and a vain politician, while actors have played the supervillain with differing strains of campy flash and genuine menace.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Hargitay and Meloni, who portrayed Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler together on the long running NBC crime show, held hands in a photo posted by the Knicks official social media accounts.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Writers who lived in the Roman Empire portrayed judges as capricious, unaccountable or swayed by menacing crowds.
—Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship is portrayed in a straightforward way as a tragic romance.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
In that film, Swank portrayed an up-and-coming boxer who is taken under the wing of an aging coach, played by Clint Eastwood.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Schulz portrayed his Peanuts gang as small adults; Feiffer’s adults are all neurotic overgrown children.
—Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
He's been portrayed as a ruthless businessman, an evil scientist, and a vain politician, while actors have played the supervillain with differing strains of campy flash and genuine menace.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Hargitay and Meloni, who portrayed Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler together on the long running NBC crime show, held hands in a photo posted by the Knicks official social media accounts.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Writers who lived in the Roman Empire portrayed judges as capricious, unaccountable or swayed by menacing crowds.
—Nathanael Andrade, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship is portrayed in a straightforward way as a tragic romance.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
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Mary described her role as largely self-directed.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2025
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Making matters worse, nine in 10 Haitians go all day without eating in what has been described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Other common ants found in the state include the carpenter ant, characterized by their large, black bodies, and fire ants, known for their red color and affinity for building large mounds in yards that can be dangerous, Hayes said.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
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Although college sports have long been characterized by a divide between the ‘haves and have nots’, mid-major basketball programs encounter even greater challenges competing within this evolving landscape due to limited resources and geographical constraints.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The series depicted the lives of the staff toiling downstairs at 165 Eaton Place and the wealthy Bellamy family living above.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Arthur has been depicted as a legendary Briton king for several centuries, though his existence has been doubted by most historians.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Before trilogy is both one story and three films, following two people, played by the same actors, across decades.—
Brian Smolensky and James Mercadante,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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Shinwell meets with Moriarty, who's played by none other than Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park.—
Samantha Highfill,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Our dashboard How Low Can Stocks Go During A Market Crash shows how key stocks performed during and after the last six market crashes.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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The Houston Astros performed major reconstructive surgery on their lineup this offseason.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The move was interpreted as an escalation in Washington's enforcement strategy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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The infographic itself is not sourced, and does not explain how its author interpreted the relevant data.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayed. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
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