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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portraying
His political heirs have also tried to redeem his image in the last decade, portraying him instead as a strong leader who brought stability to the country.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Angels counsel has attempted to discredit these former employees, portraying them as bitter because of their dismissals from the club.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Karloff was the first actor to bring Frankenstein's monster to life, portraying the character in the classic 1931 film, Frankenstein.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Bode has been outspokenly political since her rise to fame for portraying Nessarose Thropp in Wicked.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
There’s no way to trick him into portraying the right levels of fear and anxiety and sadness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Puck reported that the original script made the Chandler case central to the film’s third act, portraying Jackson as an alleged victim of extortion.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
The episode features a flashback to the 1970s, with Myers portraying a child version of Will Smith.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Angels counsel has attempted to discredit these former employees, portraying them as bitter because of their dismissals from the club.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Karloff was the first actor to bring Frankenstein's monster to life, portraying the character in the classic 1931 film, Frankenstein.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Bode has been outspokenly political since her rise to fame for portraying Nessarose Thropp in Wicked.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
There’s no way to trick him into portraying the right levels of fear and anxiety and sadness.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Puck reported that the original script made the Chandler case central to the film’s third act, portraying Jackson as an alleged victim of extortion.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
The episode features a flashback to the 1970s, with Myers portraying a child version of Will Smith.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraying
Verb
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Mamdani has also been criticized for describing himself as a Democratic Socialist and pushing for government run grocery stores and free buses.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Court records obtained by KOCO include several emotional victim impact statements describing lasting fear and trauma.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Rodriguez and Patacsil expressed skepticism about how other members were characterizing that advice.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Oct. 2025
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Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the protest, characterizing it as an attempt to obstruct law enforcement operations.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a truly enormous space, over 100,000 square feet, that was once a Lord & Taylor department store, you are greeted with giant murals depicting Netflix shows on all sides.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Fantasy River is primarily blue, depicting a river and its banks filled with foliage as petals appear to fall from the sky.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nobody will hold Gjoshe to his hopeful timescale of playing again within a month.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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What's the most difficult part of playing a character like Peter?—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While the wild harvest is prominent, there is growing interest in establishing commercial black walnut orchards in Arkansas and the Midwest, representing a long-term investment.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
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Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and an attorney representing the group, said some plaintiffs could stand to lose millions of dollars.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As Obama, 61, explains in her new book, co-written with longtime stylist Meredith Koop, that smart hire led to some of the most iconic looks in the White House despite her reluctance to talk about fashion while performing her duties as First Lady.—
Kaity Velez,
Parents,
10 Nov. 2025
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More British blues bands followed, performing and recording songs by Delta blues artists.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If certified, the Johnson case could establish a significant precedent in defining the Education Department’s obligations under the FCRA.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Receiving a Michelin star can elevate a restaurant’s reputation globally and is often seen as a career-defining achievement for chefs.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The elections were largely in areas that have recently favored Democrats, so there are limits to interpreting what the results could mean for next year’s broader midterm races.—
Josh Boak,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Legendary investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway sold over $6 billion in stock in the third quarter of the year, in a move that some investors are interpreting as a warning to global markets.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraying. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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