1
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portray
Rebuilding is quieter than those films, more modest in its scope, as director Max Walker-Silverman continues to portray the American West as both beautiful and empty, overwhelming in ways both sublime and suffocating.
—
Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
Bierre plays Riley Sullivan; Chase is Henry Sullivan, Macqueen plays Rhett Nelson; D’Angelo portrays Owen Boone, Shimp is Austin Ryder and Holder plays Cooper Cunningham.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Hopefuls are judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and authenticity in portraying the real-life Gold Rush character Klondike Kate.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Lawler has portrayed the bill as a vehicle senators could use to reach a compromise.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portray
Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
Bierre plays Riley Sullivan; Chase is Henry Sullivan, Macqueen plays Rhett Nelson; D’Angelo portrays Owen Boone, Shimp is Austin Ryder and Holder plays Cooper Cunningham.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Hopefuls are judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and authenticity in portraying the real-life Gold Rush character Klondike Kate.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Lawler has portrayed the bill as a vehicle senators could use to reach a compromise.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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The only real attempt in this episode to describe the difficulty of Maia’s position as Tallulah’s manager comes from Maia’s chirpy co-worker (Lauren Holt, a treat every time).—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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During the week, Aluko had described lying in bed at the height of the controversy, depressed and unable to eat.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Steering away from the Banda music that has characterized her sound and biggest hits, the Mexican-American singer experiments with reggae, R&B, and folk cumbia on this eight-track set that also includes powerful audio affirmations by the singer.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Nov. 2025
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The two-hour-plus interview was characterized by Carlson’s failure to directly challenge Fuentes’s points.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The video depicts deputies struggling to enter before getting inside and arresting demonstrators, who had been broadcasting demands that Stanford place divestment proposals on an upcoming Board of Trustees agenda.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
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The video also appeared to depict the officers did not take immediate steps to ensure that Good received emergency medical care after the shooting took place.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Peat fit in well with Arizona’s veteran lineup, as the freshman didn’t force the issue and played within the offense.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joshua Turner, who was Idaho’s chief of constitutional litigation and policy, represented the state in front of the Supreme Court.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Jan. 2026
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Credit card interest rates represent a significant portion of financial institutions’ revenue.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although his unit did not perform particularly well in 2026, ranking 22nd in total defense, 24th in points against and 17th on third down, anyone that has interacted with Weaver knows that his presence screams head coach.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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Just thinking about having this film play in the same place where one of his idols, Elvis Presley performed, was thrilling.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But interpreting this statistic has become more complicated with the crackdown on immigrants.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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But phones are still popping up at lunch time and between classes, and even during classes, as some teachers have interpreted this leniency differently than others, Raatz said.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By the end of this eerily melodic, strangely beautiful song about doing nothing, Tyler dreams wistfully of loitering in a parking lot.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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That’s one of the most beautiful things about doing the play right now, that there are so many people coming who have never been to a play before, especially young people.—
Juan A. Ramírez,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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