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
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Recent Examples of portraying
And another person portraying General Washington was on hand to work the crowd.
—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
27 June 2026
In portraying the fraught relationship between a young lesbian and her conservative mother, animation becomes both a barrier and a bridge, shielding lived trauma while reaching toward reconciliation and love.
—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
26 June 2026
Fair highlights Despite the ongoing issues, the sparse number of visitors entertained themselves with interactive exhibits, like dressing up as former President George Washington or speaking with an actress portraying Betsy Ross.
—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
The duo starred together for eight seasons on Charmed, with Combs portraying one of the Halliwell sisters, Piper, and Krause as their guardian angel, Leo.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
In fact, the NFLPA filed an amicus brief effectively against Clarett, portraying him as an interloper of sorts.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 June 2026
While her fellow Disney Channel alum Zendaya wore plenty of vests, neon tights and high-top sneakers during her years portraying Rocky Blue on Shake It Up.
—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
Holland’s choice doesn’t come out of nowhere, as Cooper previously expressed interest in portraying the web-slinger.
—
Mckinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
However, critics argued that his remarks ultimately reinforced stereotypes that have long been attached to Black women in sports media by portraying Reese as a villainous figure.
—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
27 June 2026
In portraying the fraught relationship between a young lesbian and her conservative mother, animation becomes both a barrier and a bridge, shielding lived trauma while reaching toward reconciliation and love.
—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
26 June 2026
Fair highlights Despite the ongoing issues, the sparse number of visitors entertained themselves with interactive exhibits, like dressing up as former President George Washington or speaking with an actress portraying Betsy Ross.
—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
The duo starred together for eight seasons on Charmed, with Combs portraying one of the Halliwell sisters, Piper, and Krause as their guardian angel, Leo.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
In fact, the NFLPA filed an amicus brief effectively against Clarett, portraying him as an interloper of sorts.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 June 2026
While her fellow Disney Channel alum Zendaya wore plenty of vests, neon tights and high-top sneakers during her years portraying Rocky Blue on Shake It Up.
—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
Holland’s choice doesn’t come out of nowhere, as Cooper previously expressed interest in portraying the web-slinger.
—
Mckinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
However, critics argued that his remarks ultimately reinforced stereotypes that have long been attached to Black women in sports media by portraying Reese as a villainous figure.
—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraying
Verb
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Scientists think this macromolecular (meaning large) complex carbon, could hold evidence that ancient microbial life once existed in the same sedimentary material, according to one new paper describing these observations.
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Crane offered a similar read, describing the collection as both new and familiar — the kind of pieces that could believably have been thrifted from a Venice Beach shop, even as fabrications like Terry and slub cotton give them a softer, more contemporary hand.
Verb
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White added some thoughts about focusing in on people, characterizing what often happens in collaborations.
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Supporters of the high-earner tax for public education have been quick to stress it’s been in place for more than a decade, characterizing any rollback of it as a tax cut for the wealthy.
Verb
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More in Culture Photo Album Take a look at these photos of the week, depicting medieval armored combat in France, an early harvest in Romania, and more.
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There’s the lively battle scene depicting the nobleman Charles Stanhope defending Jamaica (which had been made a British territory in 1655 and remained one until 1962) from France, the United States’ ally in the Revolutionary War.
Verb
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Ella Bruccoleri may be playing a Bennet sister on TV, but the actress wasn’t always a fan of Jane Austen.
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According to court documents, Zimmerman was playing golf at the hotel's course throughout the day with friends.
Verb
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Huston, a 10-time Summer X Games street gold medalist, competed Saturday as part of the inaugural X Games League format, representing Team New York.
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The prize is a bracelet with various charms representing FIFA competitors and their host countries.
Verb
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When a company is performing well, investors assume success will continue.
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Rolling Stone and Page Six report that Nicks is performing at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding next week, on July 3, at Madison Square Garden.
Verb
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Long before the disputes that would ultimately lead to the colonies seeking their independence from England, racial slavery had become a defining feature of Virginia’s economic and social structure.
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That’s the gist of a 181-page report from a team of University of California researchers that was charged with defining the factors to be resolved before such a system could be implemented.
Verb
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High-school students could read this without needing to spend time interpreting the text’s direct meaning.
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Yet interpreting those rules can be almost as challenging as trying to whack the ball toward the flagstick.
Cite this Entry
“Portraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraying. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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