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
McDaniel and Schefter have portrayed Smith’s situation somewhat differently, subtly so, over the past two weeks.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Some even embrace the physical similarity: Like O'Shea Jackson portraying a younger version of his father, Ice Cube, in Straight Outta Compton (2015), or Dan Levy playing Eugene Levy's son on Schitt's Creek.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
As Zidler, Petkoff portrays with vigor a self-serving weasel, albeit with a heart.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
But Trump has done an excellent job of creating crisis and fear by portraying events as out of the control of local and state authorities, and therefore in need of his intervention.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Some even embrace the physical similarity: Like O'Shea Jackson portraying a younger version of his father, Ice Cube, in Straight Outta Compton (2015), or Dan Levy playing Eugene Levy's son on Schitt's Creek.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
As Zidler, Petkoff portrays with vigor a self-serving weasel, albeit with a heart.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025
But Trump has done an excellent job of creating crisis and fear by portraying events as out of the control of local and state authorities, and therefore in need of his intervention.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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Hatfield did not say whether San Diego Pride had changed Kehlani’s contract as Gloria described.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
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And that's just the juiciest of the various cases described in a new paper published in the journal Criminal Law Forum.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Following deep sleep, REM sleep is the next critical phase of sleep cycles, characterized by more dreaming that’s also extra vivid and lifelike, and by faster heart rate and breathing.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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Kirn characterized the foreword as a kind of ideological overreach.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Administration officials have also depicted Abrego Garcia, a sheet metal apprentice, as a violent criminal, accusing him—without proof—of being affiliated with MS-13.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
7 June 2025
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Or the controversy over the stereotypically demeaning roles Black actors depicted.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Sarah Snook, who played Shiv Roy on that HBO drama, was nominated (and went on to win!), following in the footsteps of her costars Jeremy Strong and Keiran Culkin.—
Melissa Locker,
Time,
9 June 2025
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Selected for Function Hazen came across Szostak’s idea while thinking about the origin of life—an issue that drew him in as a mineralogist, because chemical reactions taking place on minerals have long been suspected to have played a key role in getting life started.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Although proponents of the move may site reduced bureaucratic overlap and streamlined coordination of health efforts in support of the AHA, the move represents a fundamental change in how America will approach addiction and mental health.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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According to the lawsuit, the union represents roughly 3,400 excluded employees, who are classified as managers and supervisors related to Bargaining Unit 9.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Standing on one leg and holding for 20 seconds is an example of a balance exercise that anyone can perform.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
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But for all its funny parts, the show highlights Reilly’s mellifluous croon, honed from an upbringing performing musical theatre.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
Verb
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That concept of reframing the story has been at the center of Shawn’s work, which focuses on how to train the brain to interpret challenges as temporary, local, and controllable.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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The law looks at whether a reasonable person would interpret your words as a serious threat, not just exaggerated rhetoric.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Nothing complicated, but something the whole family can do together.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
16 June 2025
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Be sure to do the top mechanism of the blinds as well.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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