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 Blackburn made history in 2018 when she was elected as the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, securing her Congressional seat in spite of vocal opposition from critics including megastar Taylor Swift. Solcyré Burga, Time, 6 Aug. 2025 Clyburn is the only Democrat representing South Carolina in Congress. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025 Every bite of this dish, whether spooned from a steaming bowl or crisped into fritters, represents how food can carry the weight of memory, love, and history. Sami Tamimi august 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025 Aurora's newest ship, the Douglas Mawson, also represents a leap forward. Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for represent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for represent
Verb
  • Human social organization is characterized by groups that have linkages between them that form larger communities, notes Seyfarth.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
  • These symptoms may include fever, fatigue, and nausea, but a chikungunya infection is characterized by the accompanying severe joint pain that can last for months or years.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The episode satirized Trump’s tendency to sue his opponents, depicting the president suing the entire town of South Park after residents oppose the government’s push to teach Christianity in schools.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The murders were depicted in the 2011 film Snowtown, which follows the perspective of Vlassakis' character as the killings take place.
    Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In Bangladeshi wedding tradition, rain symbolizes a blessing, indicating to the couple that everything had aligned exactly the way it was meant to.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • The Protective Cloak While the mantle represents visible leadership, the cloak symbolizes the protective aspects—the moments when leaders must shield themselves and others from harm.
    Carla D. Thompson Payton, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As described in a press statement, the VMAs have been a pop culture juggernaut for more than four decades, celebrating the best music videos of the year with history-making performances, iconic tributes, culture-defining moments, and the biggest surprises from the world’s biggest superstars.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The environmental effects of the bombs described in the book are particularly scary.
    Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • American leaders and commentators often portrayed international adversaries in unflattering and discursive brushstrokes.
    Time, Time, 8 Aug. 2025
  • South Park went after Homeland Security on its social media pages and made Vice President JD Vance a key target in the latest episode, portraying him toddler-sized next to Trump.
    Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And over time a cadre of chefs have learned to use these riches in a way that distinctly defines the city’s cuisine.
    Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025
  • In Italy, industry associations and trade unions are pressuring the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy to define a countrywide mandatory protocol and policy to ensure the luxury sector complies with fair work standards.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/represent. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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