1
as in describing
to give a representation or account of in words
the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characterizing
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group
traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in depicting
to present a picture of
a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in playing
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of portraying
How did the creative team approach portraying the internet from an aesthetic point of view?
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
Starring Béjo, produced by Wild Bunch TV and Palermo Production, on the biggest plays at the Upfront, moving from Belle Epoque Paris to New York and early Hollywood, portraying real-life fiction cinema visionary Alice Guy, erased from history.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
The picture stars Timothée Chalamet, portraying a fictional table tennis player inspired by a real table tennis professional, Marty Reisman.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
And Jordan's performances as Smoke and Stack are indeed confident and distinctive, not just in their different sartorial choices but in their mannerisms, with the actor excelling at portraying both Smoke's stoic practicality and Stack's swaggering charm.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Yet the influencers have thrived by portraying Dubai as a magnet for the business-class (and above) global jet set, who are drawn to the city’s futuristic, crossroads-of-the-world appeal.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The first guest on the show is actor, writer and activist George Takei, best known for portraying Lieutenant Sulu in the Star Trek franchise.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Popular culture has long elevated certain women by portraying others as rivals, obstacles or villains.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Not all of it works, but Bale is essentially perfect, portraying both the innocence and the increasing alienation of his young hero.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
Starring Béjo, produced by Wild Bunch TV and Palermo Production, on the biggest plays at the Upfront, moving from Belle Epoque Paris to New York and early Hollywood, portraying real-life fiction cinema visionary Alice Guy, erased from history.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
The picture stars Timothée Chalamet, portraying a fictional table tennis player inspired by a real table tennis professional, Marty Reisman.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
And Jordan's performances as Smoke and Stack are indeed confident and distinctive, not just in their different sartorial choices but in their mannerisms, with the actor excelling at portraying both Smoke's stoic practicality and Stack's swaggering charm.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Yet the influencers have thrived by portraying Dubai as a magnet for the business-class (and above) global jet set, who are drawn to the city’s futuristic, crossroads-of-the-world appeal.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
The first guest on the show is actor, writer and activist George Takei, best known for portraying Lieutenant Sulu in the Star Trek franchise.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Popular culture has long elevated certain women by portraying others as rivals, obstacles or villains.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
Not all of it works, but Bale is essentially perfect, portraying both the innocence and the increasing alienation of his young hero.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraying
Verb
-
Blume’s fiction addressed what was ordinary but largely invisible, describing it with humor, warmth, and care.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Without so much as an introduction, the man began describing a way to create currency that couldn’t be forged.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Albanese had been investigating human rights abuses in Palestinian territories and had started characterizing the Israeli aggression against Palestinians as a genocide.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
-
So far, lawmakers have been far from receptive to such an idea, with Republicans characterizing the effort as government overreach that would be counter to free-market ideals, one of the officials said.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In contrast to the gown’s sparkling neutral backdrop, black rhinestones depicting a tranquil mountain forest scene crawled up Hudson’s sides to her chest, around her hips, and down to her knees.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Close-ups on framed photographs depicting Devora’s younger, more graceful self offer less a sense of history than ambient suspense.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Murray was playing his ninth game of the season after returning from a torn Achilles that kept him out for more than a year.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Almost 30 states ban trans athletes from playing in girls' and women's sports, according to the Movement Advancement Project.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After years of legal battles with several groups representing Americans wanting to give up their citizenship, the department on Friday published a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the cost from $2,350 to $450.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
After years of legal battles with several groups representing Americans wanting to give up their citizenship, the department on Friday published a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the cost from $2,350 to $450.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ceremony kicked off with Alana Haim (of the band Haim and also a co-star on the movie with Zendaya) performing a DJ set.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Egyptian immigrants Azzam and Samra Ahmed are padding their savings by performing for bots in their one-bedroom apartment in Pasadena.—
NILESH CHRISTOPHER LOS ANGELES TIMES,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Waddle can be quirky and hilarious — but his unselfishness remains a defining quality.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Kudrow is widely recognized as one of the defining comedic performers of her generation.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sutter is also using a tool to assist with interpreting radiology exams.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Attractions like Anakeesta play a role in absorbing some of that demand while interpreting and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the region.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portraying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraying. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
