1
as in to describe
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 to characterize
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 to depict
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 to play
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portray
Last year, an online sketch portrayed a traditional Korean first-birthday celebration in ten years’ time: the World Cup stadium hosts the festivities for a crowd of ten thousand, including the country’s President.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The bet is that the threats of an import tax are more a geopolitical tool than a key revenue raiser, as the administration has portrayed the tariffs in budget discussions.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Is Belle Gibson’s son accurately portrayed in Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar blends fact and fiction in its portrayal of Gibson's son.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Griffith played the titular character with a strong moral compass while Knotts portrayed the bumbling, often over-eager deputy Barney Fife.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
The bet is that the threats of an import tax are more a geopolitical tool than a key revenue raiser, as the administration has portrayed the tariffs in budget discussions.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Is Belle Gibson’s son accurately portrayed in Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar blends fact and fiction in its portrayal of Gibson's son.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Griffith played the titular character with a strong moral compass while Knotts portrayed the bumbling, often over-eager deputy Barney Fife.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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First Lady Melania Trump in December described her son as a key voice in the Trump campaign’s decision to appeal to voters through non-traditional media forms, such as podcasts.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
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The untitled movie is described as an original event film created and helmed by the iconic director.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Destructive conflict, on the other hand, is characterized by negative emotions and personal attacks.—
Dileep Marway,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Legal observers and some industry groups, including the National Association of Broadcasters, have characterized Trump’s lawsuit as frivolous.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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His film, a sweeping three-and-a-half-hour-long epic that depicts fictional architect László Tóth, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor starting over in the United States, has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
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Then again, a closer confluence between what’s depicted, and the revelation of its meaning, would’ve certainly yielded stronger and more visceral drama.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Players who for years were starved for the chance to play meaningful games on behalf of their country now would be able to face-off for international bragging rights.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC News,
21 Feb. 2025
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Vaccination rates might also be playing a role, Brull said.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The judge’s orders represented a clean sweep for the prosecution over the defense’s effort to exclude a variety of evidence from Kohberger’s capital murder trial.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2025
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The technological leap—called Majorana 1—represents a major step forward towards an era of powerful quantum computers that unlock currently unachievable advancements across artificial intelligence, medical research, sustainable energy, and many other industries.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 2025 edition of Iceland Airwaves has unveiled its first wave of artists set to perform in Reykjavík, Iceland, in November.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
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Other performances were more obviously cathartic, such as the aptly named ‘Emergency Concert’ performed by Treppenhaus Quartet from Germany.—
Anna Haines,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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My days revolved around interpreting music, conveying emotions and connecting with audiences on a profound level.—
Dr. Jen Donnell,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Because based on how it’s played, people can interpret him as either complicit and a Nazi sympathizer, or a sympathetic victim of the creeping new order.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Brown revealed her new platinum blonde ‘do at the start of the month, before giving her locks their red carpet debut at Sunday’s 2025 SAG Awards.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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The extraditions were done at the request of the U.S. government as President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline looms.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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