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
McKidd has portrayed the trauma surgeon since the Season 5 premiere in 2008.
—
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The Victory Tour and Michael's decision to depart from his family professionally was a major plot point in the 2026 biopic Michael, in which Deon Cole portrayed King.
—PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Although MySpace had serious design issues, it was often portrayed as far more dangerous than the evidence warranted.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The role of Javi was portrayed by Al Calderon, who left the Peacock sudser to join NBC’s Brilliant Minds.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Fremar’s character is famously portrayed by Emily Blunt in the fashion film franchise while her boss, the Wintour-inspired Priestly, is played by Meryl Streep.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s not to say Rastignac is portrayed as a saintly figure.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
All four of the Jewish characters in the play are portrayed by Jewish actors.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
And Michael Jackson’s former manager, John Branca, who also serves as co-executive producer, is laughably portrayed as the film’s white savior.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The Victory Tour and Michael's decision to depart from his family professionally was a major plot point in the 2026 biopic Michael, in which Deon Cole portrayed King.
—PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Although MySpace had serious design issues, it was often portrayed as far more dangerous than the evidence warranted.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The role of Javi was portrayed by Al Calderon, who left the Peacock sudser to join NBC’s Brilliant Minds.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Fremar’s character is famously portrayed by Emily Blunt in the fashion film franchise while her boss, the Wintour-inspired Priestly, is played by Meryl Streep.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s not to say Rastignac is portrayed as a saintly figure.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
All four of the Jewish characters in the play are portrayed by Jewish actors.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
And Michael Jackson’s former manager, John Branca, who also serves as co-executive producer, is laughably portrayed as the film’s white savior.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayed
Verb
-
Angels shortstop Zach Neto did precisely what Cora described.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Evelyn, a migrant from the Philippines who slept in the bus station with her children during the war, described how, in an industry as intimate as caregiving, working with elderly people who struggle to make it to a shelter, workers can feel pressured to stay in the building during an attack.—
Theia Chatelle,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The result was a catalog of over 75,000 phases, each characterized by a slightly different way that the water molecules could fit together when subjected to a different combination of temperature and pressure.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The manifesto characterized his targets as rapists and pedophiles.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 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
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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 4 May. 2026.
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