Definition of representnext
1
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group the writer of the magazine article represented the students at the academy as a bunch of spoiled brats

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2
as in to depict
to present a picture of a painting representing the ocean at sunrise

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3
as in to symbolize
to serve as a material counterpart of this orange represents the sun and this pea represents the Earth

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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 represent The organization in October 2025 petitioned the board and president of the Biennale to exclude the country, after the Israeli Ministry of Culture issued an open call for artists and curators to represent it. News Desk, Artforum, 18 Mar. 2026 The camera pans across the humble audience to find everyday faces of Latinos and others for whom his victory could represent a sliver of vindication amid constant persecution. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026 Her County Board seat representing much of the Southland saw a crowded Democratic primary, with a familiar name winning out. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 Bart Jansen The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol agents, endorsed Mullin for secretary of DHS. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for represent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for represent
Verb
  • Expect more talk of stagnation — a prolonged period of slow or no economic growth, characterized by high unemployment and stagnant wages — given higher oil prices, rising concerns about the Middle East conflict, and corporate adoption of AI.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Other weirdness characterizes the city’s plan beginning with the decision to put a tourism agency, Choose Chicago, in charge.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For the 2021 vintage, Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota created an original artwork entitled Universe of Mouton that depicts a beautiful silhouette of a human figure in nature.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
  • While society hopefully won’t encounter an apocalyptic scenario like the one depicted in Project Hail Mary, a team at Cornell University’s Carl Sagan Institute has compiled a list of planetary nominees worth a closer look.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Along the way, the denim jacket has become among the most recognizable American contributions to global style, symbolizing the young nation’s elevation of workwear and casual dress.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026
  • He is still revered by many people of Italian American heritage, who view statues of him as symbolizing their own overcoming of prejudice in the US.
    News Desk, Artforum, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Police released images of the suspect described as a man between 40 and 49 years of age, about 5-feet-9 to 5-feet-10, weighing about 150 pounds.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Liz’s view The world Fink describes is a less efficient and more expensive one.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Federal authorities allege in an indictment that the images portrayed of dogs raised and offered for sale at the Giant German Shepherd Ranch in Hopkins County were a disguise for a place where, instead, cruelty and neglect were rampant.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Quickly afterward, though, came the denials from Iran about talks, while Iran's semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies portrayed the American president as backing down.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The mustache required fewer pixels to animate than a mouth, and the overalls helped clearly define Mario’s movements.
    Alexander Kaplan, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • From the very beginning, ABC was making a big bet on a figure whose defining, and perhaps most relatable, quality is her impulse to burn it all down.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/represent. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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