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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of portrays
Agnieszka Kurant portrays the scary and absurd business of attempting to predict—and control—our world using data, logic, and algorithms.
—
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
Alongside Mike Dutkewych’s smart and sensitive liner notes, the music portrays Lucas as a preternaturally gifted tunesmith hamstrung by his ability to commit to a single sound or path.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026
Despite Christophe’s many efforts to escape his origins, Clichy never portrays his home front as a horrible place, but rather as a loving household torn apart by financial worry and alcoholism.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The filing portrays the attack as part of a broader campaign by the Cuban government to intimidate the exile community and suppress pro-democracy activism.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Tom Holland portrays his son Telemachus while Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal round out the ensemble.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 May 2026
In the film, Rannells, 47, portrays a man named Jamie, a personal assistant to a successful journalist, who travels to help his boss' estranged mother, Diane (Janney), arrange her husband's funeral.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
Some analysts have doubts about the strength of the case in New York, which portrays Maduro as a central figure in facilitating the drug trade.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Young actress Gracie Cochrane, who portrays Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will not return for Season 2 of the fantasy series, Cochrane and her family revealed.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
Alongside Mike Dutkewych’s smart and sensitive liner notes, the music portrays Lucas as a preternaturally gifted tunesmith hamstrung by his ability to commit to a single sound or path.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026
Despite Christophe’s many efforts to escape his origins, Clichy never portrays his home front as a horrible place, but rather as a loving household torn apart by financial worry and alcoholism.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
The filing portrays the attack as part of a broader campaign by the Cuban government to intimidate the exile community and suppress pro-democracy activism.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Tom Holland portrays his son Telemachus while Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal round out the ensemble.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 May 2026
In the film, Rannells, 47, portrays a man named Jamie, a personal assistant to a successful journalist, who travels to help his boss' estranged mother, Diane (Janney), arrange her husband's funeral.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
Some analysts have doubts about the strength of the case in New York, which portrays Maduro as a central figure in facilitating the drug trade.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Young actress Gracie Cochrane, who portrays Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will not return for Season 2 of the fantasy series, Cochrane and her family revealed.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
-
In an interview with the website Public Parking, the writer Lucy Ives describes ad-libbing a writing exercise to kill an awkward classroom silence.—
David O’Neill,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
Crain describes the situation as a broader pattern, arguing that the city has favored new development over maintaining historic and cultural sites.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
In the past couple of decades, however, Czernowin has deëmphasized the frantic gesturing that characterizes so much latter-day modernism.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Wilson’s approach to public life clearly has an element of what professional wrestlers call kayfabe—the winking, performative trollishness that now characterizes the online right.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The nine-foot-tall statue depicts the discussion between quarterback Nick Foles and head coach Doug Pederson at Super Bowl LII, ahead of tight end Trey Burton throwing a touchdown pass to Foles.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Ballard depicts a postapocalyptic future in which global warming has rendered much of the planet uninhabitable.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Stan plays a Romanian family man who travels with his five children to live in his wife’s Norwegian hometown.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 May 2026
-
On a major league baseball field, the mowing direction plays a big part in creating the intricate outfield designs and signature stripes in the lawn.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
And yet this bird performs one of the most violent feats in the natural world.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Opera singer Tim Blevins performs regularly outside San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre, where his powerful voice has become familiar to many passing through the Civic Center neighborhood.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The jazz quartet interprets the work of Thelonious Monk, expanding classic compositions into absorbing experimental journeys that stretch beyond free jazz.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
-
Devin Archer richly interprets Emile’s romantic ballads, French accent and all, while Cindy Chang brings some honest dignity to Bloody Mary and Anthony Maggio’s Cabel goes far beyond the standard-issue tenor.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In a lot of ways, Fiebig represents the deeper potential of co-op teams, and what could be lost if and when some high schoolers lose access to them.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
This does not mean being less loyal to an employer or less committed to the organization one represents.—
Henrik Totterman,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
