1
as in describes
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 characterizes
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 depicts
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 plays
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 portrays
Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a flashpoint in the war and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.
—
Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a tinderbox in the war, and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Madden portrays Secretary of Defense Webb Preston, who has a technology background that sets him apart from most politicians.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, wore the fleece jacket while taking pictures with Hudson Williams, the actor who portrays Hollander, last week.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2026
Pitt portrays a once-promising driver who endured an on-track accident that nearly ended his career.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Morsey beautifully portrays Bemadette’s passion, longing, and loss in a visceral way.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
Aristidou portrays these interactions with a dose of bittersweet ambivalence.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Church portrays his son, Junior, killed in Vietnam.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Famine report portrays a grim picture In recent months, Kordofan has become a tinderbox in the war, and the army managed to break the RSF siege of two major cities in the region earlier this year.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Madden portrays Secretary of Defense Webb Preston, who has a technology background that sets him apart from most politicians.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, wore the fleece jacket while taking pictures with Hudson Williams, the actor who portrays Hollander, last week.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2026
Pitt portrays a once-promising driver who endured an on-track accident that nearly ended his career.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Morsey beautifully portrays Bemadette’s passion, longing, and loss in a visceral way.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
Aristidou portrays these interactions with a dose of bittersweet ambivalence.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Church portrays his son, Junior, killed in Vietnam.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
-
Frankenstein is nominated for nine Oscars, the bulk of which highlight its decadent design, all rooted in the kind of deep, immersive research that Deverell describes.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In a Federal Communications Commission application, SpaceX describes how the centers would transmit the data via optical, or laser, signals to the Starlink network for transmission to the ground while the entire system is in a low orbit roughly 300 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What is a greater hit against a presidential administration that characterizes itself as the party of family values than marrying two people in love on stage?—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The author argues this economic leverage represents the only meaningful way to hold the country accountable for what the author characterizes as federal overreach.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The cover, designed by Bravo student Adrian Lopez, depicts a tree wrapping around the spine.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania depicts the First Lady’s life in the 20 days before his re-election.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has a chance to join an exclusive group when his team plays the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
This commitment to efficiency extends into shelter support, where data plays a significant role.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pivotal says years of real-world flight data across its fleet continue to shape how the aircraft performs.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Charlie Puth performs during the Grammy Awards salute to the Beach Boys, on April 9, 2023, on the CBS Television Network.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The body interprets weight loss as a threat to survival and responds by slamming the brakes on metabolism through sophisticated energy-conserving mechanisms.—
Amy J. Sheer,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
-
How the market interprets the Macao margin situation will influence the direction from the opening.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That plate represents a full day of eating, not every meal, Mokari said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The move sees the 22-year-old join the sixth club of his senior career, and represents his fourth different team in the space of just over a year.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
