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
Jacobson opened up to Variety earlier this year about the unique challenge of casting a young Haymitch, portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original four films.
—
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
The wedding is a wild affair, and I was genuinely fascinated by the care that went into portraying it all on-screen.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Tim Burton's version of the movie saw Keaton as a dark, surly Batman, shaping the way the character would be portrayed for the next three decades.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Oscar winner portrays a former president leading an investigation in the aftermath of a deadly national cyber attack.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
The wedding is a wild affair, and I was genuinely fascinated by the care that went into portraying it all on-screen.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Tim Burton's version of the movie saw Keaton as a dark, surly Batman, shaping the way the character would be portrayed for the next three decades.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Oscar winner portrays a former president leading an investigation in the aftermath of a deadly national cyber attack.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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Holden’s family described the ordeal on a website dedicated to securing his release.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
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Living history interpreters will interact with the public, describing the events of the time and the life of soldiers on campaign during the early 1800s.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Dystonia is an umbrella term for movement disorders characterized by sustained or repetitive muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures or movements.—
Indu Subramanian,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
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Forbes reports that a significant 69% of the youngest generation perceive middle management as a role characterized by high-stress levels and minimal rewards.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Instead, Allie married the rough-around-the-edges man who’s depicted as her one true love, Noah, played by Ryan Gosling.—
Emily Rella,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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The ways that sound, emanating from speakers or depicted on album covers, was interpolated with the visual was indeed one of the exhibition’s most entrancing aspects and radical critical interventions.—
Ivy G. Wilson,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Still, Ordine thinks most wagering on the conclave is likely to happen informally among friends, similar to the squares people play for the Super Bowl.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Photo: Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography There’s a lot to play for, this coming Monday, in conceptualizing a look that celebrates the message.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Airlines for America, a group representing American Airlines and other U.S. carriers, in March urged the FAA to permanently reduce helicopter traffic around the airport.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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In a statement Saturday, attorneys representing the Hinton family said they were hired to investigate the death of Ryan Hinton and that Rodney Hinton, along with other family members, met with Cincinnati police on Friday to view body camera footage of his shooting death.—
Victoria Arancio,
ABC News,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Their offense, though, is performing below league average.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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At a suitable moment, the charger performs a USB PD Data Role (DR) Swap.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over time, these small moments of silence and avoidance replace honest conversation, leaving both partners to interpret each other’s emotions and needs without asking directly.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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And finally, within my inner ear, another membrane vibrates in response and sends signals to my brain, which interprets them as music.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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If video game movies, especially those that already push the boundaries between film and television, are to have any longevity in Hollywood, then filmmakers have to do more than simply retell the games.—
Richard Newby,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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