portray

verb

pȯr-ˈtrā How to pronounce portray (audio)
Definition of portraynext
1
as in to describe
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 to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble

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3
as in to depict
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 to play
to present a portrayal or performance of gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of portray Sayed then shifted the conversation to financial support for Israel, portraying his objections as a common-sense opposition to using tax dollars on anyone but Americans. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026 The Hollywood project portrayed Belfort and his friends using drugs while splurging on luxury goods and participating in illicit activities. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 Critics often portray Section 106 as a bureaucratic nightmare that serves only to make Washington architecture boring and slow. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 Originally played by actor Jonathan Frid, the 200-year-old vampire was portrayed by Johnny Depp – a lifelong Dark Shadows fan – in Tim Burton’s 2012 feature film adaptation also starring Michelle Pfeiffer. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
  1. describe
  2. characterize
  3. depict
  4. play
  5. represent
  6. perform
  7. interpret
  8. do
Verb
  • Fars described the sites as a forward headquarters for US Central Command’s land forces.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The first victim — identified Wednesday by the medical examiner as 79-year-old Clifford Boisa of Sutter County — has been described in news reports as the boat captain’s brother.
    — Michael McGough Updated July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of describe
Verb
  • Nine-atom-wide armchair GNRs (9-AGNRs) were synthesized via a bottom-up on-surface approach, integrated into field-effect transistors (FETs), and characterized before and after exposure using Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
  • Taco Bell characterized its decision as a precautionary measure taken out of an abundance of caution despite the absence of a formal government advisory directing such action.
    — Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • Content created with generative AI, or gen AI, tools can include fake nude images and videos; deepfakes; and content from nudification tools and apps, which allow a user to generate a fake image that depicts people as undressed.
    — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The image depicts a fairly slender-looking screen-free wearable, but one that looks distinctly wider than the Fitbit Air.
    — Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of depict
Verb
  • Haiti became the first team in FIFA history to qualify without having played one game at home due to gangs’ takeover of its national stadium and the violence in Port-au-Prince.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • The fan festival outside the stadium was packed with fans wearing colors that didn’t represent England or France.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
  • Moon represents the district’s Area 4, bordered by L Street to the west and Mace Boulevard to the east.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of represent
Verb
  • But for many Georgians who volunteered, worked, performed or attended the Games, the memories that have endured are far more personal.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • One of Ramboll’s innovations is to address reactive power, a component of electricity that does not perform useful work but is essential in maintaining electrical and magnetic fields and controlling voltage levels.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • Genealogy author Ron Chan will show participants how to access and interpret these records and create a memorial page.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Despite advances in artificial intelligence, robots still struggle to interpret human thoughts and translate them into reliable actions.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
Definition of interpret
Verb
  • Abreu, a two-time Gold Glover in right field, did his part against the Rays with a pair of two-homer games.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Daniel isn’t this devil’s only minion; Armand’s got an Illumination movie’s worth of cronies doing his bidding.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

portraitures
portray
portrayal
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Cite this Entry

“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of portray for Spanish Speakers

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