Synonyms of portrays

portrays

verb

present tense third-person singular of portray

1

as in describes

to give a representation or account of in words

the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• describes
• depicts
• paints
• renders
• characterizes
• illustrates
• delineates
• sets out
• defines
• represents
• recounts
• limns
• images
• sketches
• summarizes
• draws
• pictures
• outlines
• narrates
• relates
• tells
• demonstrates
• shows
• suggests
• displays
• exhibits
• recites
• reports
• qualifies
• traces
• labels
• hints
• rehearses
• sums up
• vignettes
• silhouettes
• drafts
• reimages
• touches off
• redescribes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distorts
• misrepresents
• colors
• falsifies
• misstates
• warps
• perverts
• twists
• garbles
• misdescribes

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

• characterizes
• describes
• depicts
• defines
• represents
• characters
• identifies
• types
• classifies
• indicates
• categorizes
• specifies
• pigeonholes
• colors
• distinguishes
• stamps
• marks
• individualizes
• particularizes
• names

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

• depicts
• represents
• describes
• images
• pictures
• renders
• illustrates
• delineates
• outlines
• shows
• documents
• sketches
• silhouettes
• diagrams
• caricatures

4

as in plays

to present a portrayal or performance of

gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plays
• depicts
• performs
• interprets
• represents
• does
• impersonates
• acts
• dramatizes
• renders
• enacts
• imitates
• mimics
• acts out
• underplays
• pantomimes
• overplays
• masquerades
• poses (as)
• takes on
• role-plays
• mimes
• stars (in)
• overacts
• apes
• hams
• playacts
• costars
• clowns
• coacts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of portrays

In the book, Auf der Maur portrays this as an unhappy development. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Bonale Fambrini, who portrays Johnny Cade, said the show's themes can resonate with audiences of all ages. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Keen portrays Connor, alongside Ella Rubin, in the 2026 Prime Video series Sterling Point. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Bridgers portrays Hollis, a devoted family man trying to rebuild his life. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

The Halogram, for instance — the backup consciousness of Hal Jordan stored in the power ring that Chandler also portrays — subtly plays off of some of that history. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Mescal stars as Paul McCartney, Quinn plays George Harrison, Barry Keoghan portrays Ringo Starr and Harris Dickinson plays John Lennon. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026

Hathaway hilariously portrays the growing pains of trying to learn royal etiquette while navigating dreamy boys and high-school bullies. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Juno Temple portrays supermodel and eventual public relations expert Keeley Jones. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026