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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of portray
The memoir chronicled her upbringing, her romance with Olivier (portrayed through their love letters) and the rumors that surrounded her husband’s sexuality.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
In his inaugural address four years ago, President Joe Biden portrayed former President Donald Trump's tumultuous tenure as an aberration and his own election as a return to political norms.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Jamie Chung voiced a much different version of the character (Asian-American and living in a ’50s-esque Gotham City) on Batman: Caped Crusader, while Lady Gaga portrayed a more down-to-earth incarnation in Joker: Folie à Deux.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
As the Tony winner took her final bow, the Greatest Showman star was there to capture it all — alongside acting legend Carol Burnett, who portrayed Foster's character in the original production of the show.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for portray 
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
In his inaugural address four years ago, President Joe Biden portrayed former President Donald Trump's tumultuous tenure as an aberration and his own election as a return to political norms.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Jamie Chung voiced a much different version of the character (Asian-American and living in a ’50s-esque Gotham City) on Batman: Caped Crusader, while Lady Gaga portrayed a more down-to-earth incarnation in Joker: Folie à Deux.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
As the Tony winner took her final bow, the Greatest Showman star was there to capture it all — alongside acting legend Carol Burnett, who portrayed Foster's character in the original production of the show.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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The way Gottlieb describes it, quite luxury in fashion involves using simple colors in high-end fabrics.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
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The suit also detailed other racially motivated incidents including an October 2020 video class meeting overtaken by white students who used racial slurs to describe their Black classmates.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Then came the gravity-defying blow dry, characterized by swinging ends and reflective shine.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2025
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Read More: What Happened the Last Time Trump Withdrew From the Paris Agreement Trump also made a move to curtail offshore wind development, which the blueprint characterized as part of an agenda that would close off large sections of the ocean to commercial activity.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If the content of his films skews towards the dark side, their form tends to be a bit more playful, undercutting some of the heaviness of what’s being depicted.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
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Contemporary sculptures of earthly Greek women were usually made from terra-cotta and depicted them clothed in tight cloaks.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One of the greatest of all time to play the position, one of the greatest players of all time.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
The Athletic,
28 Jan. 2025
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Two years ago, the Eagles and the Chiefs faced off in Super Bowl LVII where Kansas City dramatically won on a field goal with eight seconds to play.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Raising Voices Still a Necessity for Disabled The idea that nearly 30 percent of Americans are underrepresented in films — or represented only in terms of their disability — should alert studios whose projects struggle to find audiences.—
Randee Dawn,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, as of 2020, over 6% of Americans attended nondenominational and independent churches, representing over 12 million individuals at over 60,000 churches.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trenitalia performed well in the booking experience, reliability and traveler experience categories.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Documents state that the city won the federal grant in April 2023, and Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development began soliciting environmental consultants to perform the work in September 2024, almost a year and a half later.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and has previously been interpreted by the Supreme Court to grant citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of the citizenship status of their parents.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Jan. 2025
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The guys on the bandstand are interpreting them horizontally, from left to right, one note at a time.—
Heather Augustyn,
SPIN,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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So what exactly has Trump and his administration done around immigration?—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Watch on Deadline Last year’s Sundance did its part, premiering A Real Pain and Thelma, Dìdi, My Old Ass and Kneecap, which all had nice box office runs.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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