1
as in describes
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
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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
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3
as in depicts
to present a picture of
a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up
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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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Recent Examples of portrays
Mekia Cox, who portrays Nyla Harper, wed basketball analyst Britt Leach in 2018, according to The Knot.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Arnett, Cooper, and Mark Chappell cowrote the screenplay, and Cooper portrays Balls, Alex's actor friend who serves as the film's comic relief.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
From that lens, the NCAA portrays the objectors as relying on a novel or quixotic theory (the counterargument, of course, is that the House settlement’s features are matters of first impression for any court and the lack of precedent shouldn’t be disqualifying).
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Jan. 2026
As part of the event, Mescal, who portrays William Shakespeare in the film (which was adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel), chatted with Antonia Blyth, a British writer based in Los Angeles.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 3 Jan. 2026
Recruitment ads have proliferated across TV, radio, print and podcasts directing viewers to an ICE hiring website that portrays immigration as an existential threat.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2026
The more than 4,000-page indictment includes an organization chart that portrays Imamoglu as the founder and head of the criminal group.
—Reuters 17 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
In the video, Manilow portrays a character who sacrifices a traditional family life to pursue his dream as a performer.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Alongside the feature rollout, Walker also shared a teaser video that portrays Drea Nicole and Lex P — hosts of Pour Minds Podcast — as caterers at Walker’s wedding.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Arnett, Cooper, and Mark Chappell cowrote the screenplay, and Cooper portrays Balls, Alex's actor friend who serves as the film's comic relief.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
From that lens, the NCAA portrays the objectors as relying on a novel or quixotic theory (the counterargument, of course, is that the House settlement’s features are matters of first impression for any court and the lack of precedent shouldn’t be disqualifying).
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Jan. 2026
As part of the event, Mescal, who portrays William Shakespeare in the film (which was adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel), chatted with Antonia Blyth, a British writer based in Los Angeles.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 3 Jan. 2026
Recruitment ads have proliferated across TV, radio, print and podcasts directing viewers to an ICE hiring website that portrays immigration as an existential threat.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2026
The more than 4,000-page indictment includes an organization chart that portrays Imamoglu as the founder and head of the criminal group.
—Reuters 17 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
In the video, Manilow portrays a character who sacrifices a traditional family life to pursue his dream as a performer.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Alongside the feature rollout, Walker also shared a teaser video that portrays Drea Nicole and Lex P — hosts of Pour Minds Podcast — as caterers at Walker’s wedding.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
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Jordan describes the relationship between chef and winemaker as a constant dialogue, a feedback loop that ensures every pairing expresses the wine’s architecture, not just its flavor profile.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The company describes its approach as a two-step process.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sandro Petraglia’s script characterizes him as a dashing rogue out of his depth, an artistic genius in an illicit trade, a disco-loving womanizer, all of which Castellitto performs with confidence.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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After his almost one-year hiatus, the Puerto Rican artist makes his comeback with a suave Afrobeats that evokes romanticism and desire—a shift from the flirty reggaetón sound that best characterizes him.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The movie depicts Oher's life story, in which his character is homeless in Memphis, Tennessee and is adopted by the prominent Tuohy family.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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With exquisite costume and set design, and detailed and discerning creative direction, Black Panther beautifully depicts Black royalty, which is not often highlighted in film and television.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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New York storyteller Laura Sims leads workshops and performs stories on Saturday and Sunday during the Atlanta Jewish Storytelling Festival at The Breman.—
Mary Caldwell,
AJC.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Mindy performs in this scene wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo’s Sacaria platform sandals.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Who interprets this for each function?—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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After the school viewing, Noelle avoids eye contact with her mother, which April interprets as a provocation.—
Ruth Madievsky,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Malliotakis, who represents the Staten Island resident in Congress, approached Rubio after a briefing given to all House members on the capture of former dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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New York Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican who represents most of the Hudson Valley, is urging the president to lift the suspension.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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