as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
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Recent Examples of portrayal
The film has been criticized for its portrayal of Mexico, its trans representation, and even the accents of its actors.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
Although homosexuality has traditionally been a taboo topic in Korea’s relatively conservative media, the last decade has seen a dramatic change, with both films and TV dramas delivering more positive nuanced portrayals of gay characters.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
In the cartoonist Barry Blitt’s portrayal of the upcoming Inauguration Day, the new President is sidelined into a dash of yellow hair and a sliver of red tie.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
At the awards ceremony, where he was nominated for his portrayal of Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, Strong also wore a matching suit with a white turtleneck underneath.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for portrayal 
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
Although homosexuality has traditionally been a taboo topic in Korea’s relatively conservative media, the last decade has seen a dramatic change, with both films and TV dramas delivering more positive nuanced portrayals of gay characters.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
In the cartoonist Barry Blitt’s portrayal of the upcoming Inauguration Day, the new President is sidelined into a dash of yellow hair and a sliver of red tie.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
At the awards ceremony, where he was nominated for his portrayal of Roy Cohn in The Apprentice, Strong also wore a matching suit with a white turtleneck underneath.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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The dramatized depiction of an investigation into Chandler’s claims against Jackson open and close the script, Puck states.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2025
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Her vivid depictions of climate change, inequality and resilience remain a testament to her unparalleled ability to look at the present and imagine what lies ahead.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Police did not release a description of the vehicle nor information about a possible suspect.—
Gary Warth,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
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The legal descriptions correspond to 2955, 2960 and 2990 Coconut Ave.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While most of the portraits on view at the AGO don’t depict specific women, Newton’s face appears again and again.—
Brigit Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Jan. 2025
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The result is an exceptional collection of portraits of children made between the 16th and 19th centuries located in their Mallorca museum.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Popular on Variety Set against the backdrop of Vallejo, Calif., during the late 1980s, the film paints a vivid picture of a city in freefall, according to the official synopsis.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
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The Investigation Discovery documentary (streaming on Max) is a compilation of many claims made against Brown over the years, strung together to create a picture of a violent man whom the entertainment industry has granted a pass.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near portrayal
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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