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 Later, Stokes represented Bean as his personal lawyer when he was sued in his capacity as superintendent of the center in 2003. Valliant, appointed to his seat on the board by the county commissioners, has represented county commissioners as their lawyer. Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 7 June 2025 Each dot on this map represents a city or reporting area that issues a forecast. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025 Lindsay Leahy, who represents Oceanside on the water authority board, requested last week an analysis of how much overall rates would need to rise if all water demand through the PSAWR program were to go away. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025 The other union that already threw its weight behind Brannan is Local 804, which mostly represents UPS delivery workers. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for represent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for represent
Verb
  • Following deep sleep, REM sleep is the next critical phase of sleep cycles, characterized by more dreaming that’s also extra vivid and lifelike, and by faster heart rate and breathing.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
  • Kirn characterized the foreword as a kind of ideological overreach.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Administration officials have also depicted Abrego Garcia, a sheet metal apprentice, as a violent criminal, accusing him—without proof—of being affiliated with MS-13.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 June 2025
  • Or the controversy over the stereotypically demeaning roles Black actors depicted.
    Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The kea parrot on the mission patch symbolizes his homeland of New Zealand.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 29 May 2025
  • Featuring continuous, interlocking lines, the popular motif symbolizes infinity, the eternal nature of life, unity and bonds of loyalty.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • And he was forever struck by the example of Peter’s family encouraging and challenging him — an approach that enabled Peter to work and ski and fish and live what Reid described as a normal life.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
  • Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories Tony Martinez as Pepino Garcia Tony Martinez portrayed Pepino, the McCoys’ farmhand who often served as comic relief.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • According to Salvador, Maje portrayed herself as a victim of psychological and physical abuse.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • More impressive millwork defines the passageways to the formal dining and living rooms.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
  • This was bricolage in the mode of postmodernism, to use a term that Jencks had a leading role in propagating, defining it in multiple competing and overlapping (some would say maddening) ways.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/represent. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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