1
as in describes
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 characterizes
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 depicts
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 plays
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 portrays
Zhang, delivering his first fully Cantonese-language performance on the big screen, portrays a repressed small-time man caught between competing versions of reality.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 June 2026
Mia Sara, who portrays Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane, was just 18.
—Linnea Wicklund, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
The new Toy Story movie also portrays this, with Bonnie, staying up late on her new tablet, and reaching for it first thing in the morning.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 19 June 2026
In The Odyssey, Hathaway portrays Penelope, the wife of Damon's character Odysseus and mother to their son Telemachus (Holland, 30).
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
Mitre’s film portrays the birth of a civil resistance movement and the state’s infiltration operation designed to destroy it.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Depicting her friendship with the trans actress Candy Darling (a sensitive turn by Stephen Dorff), the story portrays how Solanis came to write her notorious SCUM Manifesto (an acronym for the Society for Cutting Up Men) and the spiral of rejection that led to her desperate act of violence.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Social media portrays much of the substance use in a positive light, Nagata said.
—Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
There’s something to be said about the story of what the music portrays.
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 10 June 2026
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 June 2026
Mia Sara, who portrays Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane, was just 18.
—Linnea Wicklund, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
The new Toy Story movie also portrays this, with Bonnie, staying up late on her new tablet, and reaching for it first thing in the morning.
—Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 19 June 2026
In The Odyssey, Hathaway portrays Penelope, the wife of Damon's character Odysseus and mother to their son Telemachus (Holland, 30).
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
Mitre’s film portrays the birth of a civil resistance movement and the state’s infiltration operation designed to destroy it.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Depicting her friendship with the trans actress Candy Darling (a sensitive turn by Stephen Dorff), the story portrays how Solanis came to write her notorious SCUM Manifesto (an acronym for the Society for Cutting Up Men) and the spiral of rejection that led to her desperate act of violence.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Social media portrays much of the substance use in a positive light, Nagata said.
—Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
There’s something to be said about the story of what the music portrays.
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
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The 3,200-square-foot residence at 10825 Lola Montez Road in Soda Springs, about 90 minutes from Sacramento via Interstate 80, includes three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but the listing describes it more like a private Sierra camp than a conventional home.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
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In Apple in China, the Financial Times reporter Patrick McGee describes how the US firm’s advanced manufacturing supply chain birthed China’s world-beating consumer electronics sector.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Under that view, a taxpayer who actively participates in management should not receive the benefit simply because state law characterizes the interest as a limited partnership interest.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The network characterizes the request for edits as something that should be happening in the newsroom.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The sandstone artifact, which depicts the Hindu epic character Duryodhana, had in fact been looted from Koh Ker in or around 1972, after the all-important UNESCO convention.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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One depicts Putin being cradled in the arms of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
The stadium is sure to be full again on Thursday, too, when the Netherlands plays Tunisia.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Singer Lashonta Worthy, who performs under the name Lizzen, brought original music to the stage, including songs centered on acceptance, unity and reconciliation.—
J.M. Banks
June 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
-
Anaplan’s cross-functional scenario-planning and analysis platform performs deterministic calculations.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
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This accumulation of unmade decisions creates anxiety, decision fatigue, and mental paralysis, as the brain interprets uncertainty as a threat.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Although no policy changes are expected this week, investors are looking for whether Warsh will signal changes in how the Fed communicates its economic views or interprets inflation data.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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For Pittsburgh, the signing represents a low-risk acquisition of a veteran pitcher with major-league experience, providing valuable organizational depth.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which represents Arkansas United, is appealing that decision – both in hopes of getting rid of Arkansas’ law and to preserve the right of individuals to raise other voting rights challenges.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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