as in portrayals
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his account created in the jurors' heads a detailed portrait of a lonely old man
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Recent Examples of portraits
Highlights include intimate portraits by Nan Goldin and a monochrome image of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe during their hedonistic era in New York.
—
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Her posts around this time were more often portraits of the outsized characters that dominate conservative politics than about actual policy.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
In the early colonial period, publications often contained collections of high-profile personalities’ portraits, starting with the depiction of high-ranking Japanese colonial officials began in 1896, with an illustrated account of the Japanese conquest of the island.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 13 Sep. 2025
In a dining room decorated with geometric hanging lamps and exposed wood beams, portraits of the chef’s parents fill open shelves.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Likewise, reflect on a series of twelve portraits in which three young white men, Matsura, and his friend Cecil Jim (niece of the imposing Chiliwhist Jim) assume different pairings and playfully switch hats.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Friends and family have gifted them portraits, memorial bears and other tokens that help keep his presence near.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Directed and photographed by Stuart Winecoff with creative direction from Robert Lussier, The Style Council, Paris, the films and portraits follow Ludacris, Alba, McCaffrey, and Moore through John Lautner’s Harvey House in Los Angeles, known for its lush midcentury interiors.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Sixteen familial portraits examine experience in the Southwest United States and Mexican borderlands, layering DNA testing to map human migration.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Her posts around this time were more often portraits of the outsized characters that dominate conservative politics than about actual policy.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
In the early colonial period, publications often contained collections of high-profile personalities’ portraits, starting with the depiction of high-ranking Japanese colonial officials began in 1896, with an illustrated account of the Japanese conquest of the island.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 13 Sep. 2025
In a dining room decorated with geometric hanging lamps and exposed wood beams, portraits of the chef’s parents fill open shelves.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Likewise, reflect on a series of twelve portraits in which three young white men, Matsura, and his friend Cecil Jim (niece of the imposing Chiliwhist Jim) assume different pairings and playfully switch hats.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Friends and family have gifted them portraits, memorial bears and other tokens that help keep his presence near.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Directed and photographed by Stuart Winecoff with creative direction from Robert Lussier, The Style Council, Paris, the films and portraits follow Ludacris, Alba, McCaffrey, and Moore through John Lautner’s Harvey House in Los Angeles, known for its lush midcentury interiors.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Sixteen familial portraits examine experience in the Southwest United States and Mexican borderlands, layering DNA testing to map human migration.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraits
Noun
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The fourth episode depicts him as a negligent and emotionally abusive lover to Satan, further connecting him to the show’s previous portrayals of Saddam Hussein.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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From early portrayals built on stereotypes to today’s layered narratives, positive representation has been an exhausting but necessary journey for creatives of color.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This provision appears to not only ban depictions of trans people but could also potentially be applied to drag queens.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
16 Sep. 2025
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Liu directs heart-expanding, tender performances out of his leads, and the screenplay by Martyna Majok forgoes the maudlin or condescending notes of so many Hollywood depictions of immigration stories.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lord entered the truck in competitions in Louisiana and Texas and loved to park it in front of the Henderson building to take pictures of it, Michelle said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Full character descriptions can be found below.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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Remaining employees then absorb responsibilities that exceed their job descriptions and pay grades, often leading to burnout.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This viral hit was a long time coming for the pair, who joined the SNL writers’ room in 2022 and developed a reputation for crafting sketches that jump on pop-culture trends with a fluency in girls-and-gays online fanspeak.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
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Nwodim, who joined SNL in season 44, made headlines during the 50th season in April during one of her Weekend Update sketches.—
Anna Chan,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portraits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraits. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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