as in depictions
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 portrayals
Since its 2023 debut, the show has resonated for its raw portrayals of participants shaped by divorce, grief, illness and major life decisions.
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Calvo argued to the Herald that fictional portrayals should help establish a better image of the city, not harm it.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The Coalition for Faith and Media, in partnership with HarrisX, recently launched a research study that found 70% of Americans believe Hollywood stereotypes faith, while 82% say film and TV should prioritize portraying more accurate and complex portrayals of faith and religion.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
In the Supporting categories, actress Wunmi Mosaku and actor Delroy Lindo have been nominated for their scene-stealing portrayals of Annie and Delta Slim, continuing the trend of firsts for this talented team and cast.
—Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In Galanin’s mercifully direct lyrics, Native dream psychology layers over intimate portrayals of kinship.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
While previous studies on in-hospital cardiac arrest and CPR found inaccuracies with chest compression technique and survival rates in media, none had looked at portrayals of cardiac arrest that occur outside of hospitals and CPR conducted by a lay rescuer.
—Beth Hoffman, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2026
And even the most empathetic and loving autism-adjacent artists can falter sometimes, whether in their portrayals or the discussions around them.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The triple Golden Globe Award nominee picks up the role after portrayals from DeForest Kelley, who originated the character on the original Star Trek series from 1966 to 1969, and Karl Urban, who assumed the role of McCoy for the Star Trek reboot series that began with the 2009 relaunch.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Calvo argued to the Herald that fictional portrayals should help establish a better image of the city, not harm it.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
The Coalition for Faith and Media, in partnership with HarrisX, recently launched a research study that found 70% of Americans believe Hollywood stereotypes faith, while 82% say film and TV should prioritize portraying more accurate and complex portrayals of faith and religion.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
In the Supporting categories, actress Wunmi Mosaku and actor Delroy Lindo have been nominated for their scene-stealing portrayals of Annie and Delta Slim, continuing the trend of firsts for this talented team and cast.
—Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In Galanin’s mercifully direct lyrics, Native dream psychology layers over intimate portrayals of kinship.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
While previous studies on in-hospital cardiac arrest and CPR found inaccuracies with chest compression technique and survival rates in media, none had looked at portrayals of cardiac arrest that occur outside of hospitals and CPR conducted by a lay rescuer.
—Beth Hoffman, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2026
And even the most empathetic and loving autism-adjacent artists can falter sometimes, whether in their portrayals or the discussions around them.
—Sarah Kurchak, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
The triple Golden Globe Award nominee picks up the role after portrayals from DeForest Kelley, who originated the character on the original Star Trek series from 1966 to 1969, and Karl Urban, who assumed the role of McCoy for the Star Trek reboot series that began with the 2009 relaunch.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayals
Noun
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According to common depictions of his family’s dynamic, Mamdani inherited his leftist political ideology from his father, the anti-colonialist Columbia professor, and his dimpled charm and flair for the theatrical from his filmmaker mother.—
Rebecca Traister,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
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Gone with the Wind earned Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937, though many themes of the book are recognized as problematic today, including racist and stereotypical depictions of Black characters and the glorifications of slavery and the Civil War.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Known for era-defining portraits of figures from John Lennon to Barack Obama, Fairey reveals how photography underpins his graphic language across screen print, collage and new commissions created for the show.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Flowers and portraits of the late opposition leader have appeared in memorials across Europe, including outside the former Russian consulate in Frankfurt, highlighting international outrage over his death.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The descriptions of slavery are excruciating.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
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Regardless of the field, a growing number of job descriptions now ask for AI skills or fluency, Blankstein said.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Deuxmoi showed pictures of McRae and Hughes dining at Anton’s in the West Village the month prior.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In these 2-foot-square pictures, long-haired nude female figures in close Edenic companionship with wild beasts poke their heads out from behind lush tropical foliage, and stare, unsettlingly, straight outward.—
Benjamin Lima,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayals. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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