1
as in describing
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 characterizing
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 depicting
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 playing
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 portraying
Among them was Viola Davis, who earned her second Oscar nomination for portraying Aibileen Clark, a maid working for a white family in the 1960s.
—
Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
He's played by Jamie Hector, best known for portraying Jerry Edgar on Bosch and gangster Marlo Stanfield on The Wire.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Mendes is best known for portraying Veronica Lodge on Riverdale, which was based on the Archie Comics and lasted for seven seasons on The CW between 2017 and 2023.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
In typical fashion, Danes left it on all the floor in portraying a reclusive author who suspects her developer neighbor (Matthew Rhys) of misdeeds.
—Carla Meyer, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
What did that film teach you about the challenge of portraying political differences without turning people into caricatures?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Industry versus lifestyle Monday’s meeting drew a mix of outspoken residents presenting concerns about data centers’ direct impact on their rural communities, and commercial leaders portraying the data center economy as an essential growth opportunity for Jackson County’s economy.
—Ilana Arougheti
june 1, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Dynevor and Schwarzenegger were previously announced as the romantic leads with Dynevor portraying January Andrews and Schwarzenegger Gus Everett.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
This latest trailer showcases Kyle Chandler as veteran Lantern, Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre portraying the younger newbie Lantern, John Stewart, and it’s loaded with full costumes, superpowered flight, glowing power rings, and cool bright green constructs.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 May 2026
Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
He's played by Jamie Hector, best known for portraying Jerry Edgar on Bosch and gangster Marlo Stanfield on The Wire.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
Mendes is best known for portraying Veronica Lodge on Riverdale, which was based on the Archie Comics and lasted for seven seasons on The CW between 2017 and 2023.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
In typical fashion, Danes left it on all the floor in portraying a reclusive author who suspects her developer neighbor (Matthew Rhys) of misdeeds.
—Carla Meyer, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
What did that film teach you about the challenge of portraying political differences without turning people into caricatures?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Industry versus lifestyle Monday’s meeting drew a mix of outspoken residents presenting concerns about data centers’ direct impact on their rural communities, and commercial leaders portraying the data center economy as an essential growth opportunity for Jackson County’s economy.
—Ilana Arougheti
june 1, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Dynevor and Schwarzenegger were previously announced as the romantic leads with Dynevor portraying January Andrews and Schwarzenegger Gus Everett.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
This latest trailer showcases Kyle Chandler as veteran Lantern, Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre portraying the younger newbie Lantern, John Stewart, and it’s loaded with full costumes, superpowered flight, glowing power rings, and cool bright green constructs.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraying
Verb
-
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airforwarders Association (AfA) both sent letters to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin describing the far-reaching consequences of such a cutback, including supply chain snafus, diminished cargo capacity and lost revenues.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
-
Crew members believe that blame should be shared equally between producers and financiers, with some describing it as a cautionary tale.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
So much of The Last Supper involved characterizing songs, movies, music videos, paintings, and so on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Many in the scientific research community disagree, characterizing the changes as the White House attempting to usurp autonomy from scientists and career civil servants.—
Allison DeAngelis,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
By depicting the specific shade of green in the Café Vida awning to the correct number of spokes in the rose window at the Community United Methodist Church, Dal Bello hoped to bring the places that colored his childhood alive.—
Sam Mulick,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
Carney is a moralist, a filmmaker of fidelity—and of renunciation, depicting the romantic near-misses and what-ifs that his characters leave behind.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
New York leads, 12-7, after a pair of early 3-pointers and by playing fast to try to get ahead of the defense of Victor Wembanyama.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Hanging on his wall as inspiration was a rhapsodic review of My Left Foot, which earned Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar for playing a guy with cerebral palsy.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Climate Jobs Illinois, an umbrella group representing 15 unions, issued a statement on Friday calling on Pritzker to reverse his pause.—
Yash Roy,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny is performing two shows of his 10-concert Spanish tour in the capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
One account notes that a firefighter was called to assist with moving Hogan from the residence, while other members of the Clearwater Fire Department were already performing lifesaving measures.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
According to Mike, that freedom became one of the collection’s defining characteristics.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
-
An iconic style from the brand hailing from the fall 2016 runway, the Kiki has amassed a legion of celebrity fans who have embraced the silhouette’s defining platform, towering block heel and unique buckle design leaving oval cut outs.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Whether re-interpreting traditional stories and designs or expressing contemporary issues affecting tribal societies, Native glass artists have created a content-laden body of work.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
There is a range in how prostate cancer experts are interpreting the results, however.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraying. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
