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
Scarlett, Sienna and Emily so convincingly portray sisters.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams Guzmán portrays Morticia's husband and the affable Addams family patriarch in the Netflix series.
—Karli Bendlin, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The alleged video portrayed her topless while performing at the previous evening's Hoosier Idol event, an annual state talent show and fundraiser, according to 24sightNews' reporting.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025
Players will investigate real manuscripts and historic accounts that complicate established theories; probe characters portrayed by actors and explore restricted areas in landmark monuments, some of which have never been accessed by non-custodians.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams Guzmán portrays Morticia's husband and the affable Addams family patriarch in the Netflix series.
—Karli Bendlin, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The alleged video portrayed her topless while performing at the previous evening's Hoosier Idol event, an annual state talent show and fundraiser, according to 24sightNews' reporting.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025
Players will investigate real manuscripts and historic accounts that complicate established theories; probe characters portrayed by actors and explore restricted areas in landmark monuments, some of which have never been accessed by non-custodians.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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The post described troops working behind the scenes in police offices, and conducting traffic management and manning perimeters around crime scenes when necessary.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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At least seven students at a Park Hill School District middle school described uncomfortable interactions with Washington to Platte County Sheriff’s Office detectives, court records show.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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While relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan have been characterized by extreme vitriol for over 30 years, Ibrahim expressed optimism that relations post-Washington could turn a new leaf.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Meta’s guidelines declared that depicting adults, including the elderly, receiving punches or kicks was acceptable.—
Douglas B. Laney,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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His work, in turn, was a bronze version of a colorful fountain made of cement, also depicting the three kneeling women, and which, from 1931 to 1965, had been on display at the center of Morelia.—
Eric Adler
August 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Triste was mixed by Chris Coady and features contributions from drummer Josh Freese and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, with whom Lenchantin previously played in A Perfect Circle.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
20 Aug. 2025
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Staff members raved about Jackson’s performance, with some viewing him as a bigger version of Abe Camara, who played nickel last year for TCU.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Tennessee's top 10 public high schools represent a mix of traditional, magnet and charter schools for 2025-26, according U.S. News & World Report.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
19 Aug. 2025
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The move of the 130-foot-wide, 115-foot-tall structure represents the most striking chapter yet in a decades-long relocation project that has already shifted hundreds of homes, businesses, and public buildings out of harm’s way.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The piece was to be performed at a church near McVeigh's execution site in Terre Haute, Indiana, then recorded and played on the radio so that McVeigh would have a chance to hear it.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Haggard has noted that Baird's congressional mailers have included images of his son, Beau, and have increasingly left off his first name ― a move Haggard has interpreted publicly as Baird subtly introducing his son as a successor to his seat.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
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Many have interpreted this deal, in particular the 10% stake, as a back-end way for ESPN to guarantee proximity to its most valuable content partner.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Russia has a 50-year goal, to re-unite parts of the old Soviet Union; Ukraine has a more immediate goal, to stop the war and not give up any territory to do so.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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In 2024-2025 the lodge stayed open for the winter, doing events like winemaker dinners.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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