1
as in describes
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 characterizes
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 depicts
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 plays
to present a portrayal or performance of
gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show
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Recent Examples of portrays
That list also includes a display at the National Museum of the American Latino that White House officials felt inaccurately portrays the Texas revolution as a defense of slavery, not a war of independence from Mexico.
—
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Blythe Danner, who portrays De Niro's onscreen wife Dina in the films, will reprise her role in the new movie, as will Polo, 56.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
In a notable moment, Hugh Bonneville, who portrays Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham, references one of Smith's most iconic lines as Violet, the Dowager Countess.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Jonsson stars as one such participant, Peter McVries, as does Cooper Hoffman, who portrays Raymond Garraty.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Also, why is arthouse pretty boy Louis Garrel, who portrays the leader of a resistance group known as Breakwalls (That’s seriously their name.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The show portrays seven von Trapp children, but the real family had 10 children.
—Debby Rice, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Mescal portrays Shakespeare, though Maggie O’Farrell’s novel — and Chloé Zhao’s adaptation — shift focus away from the playwright to Agnes and the family dynamic.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
But the story never leaves us with a sense that anything is incomplete, as Shear eloquently portrays the ways that near-misses can still feel like cataclysmic life events.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Blythe Danner, who portrays De Niro's onscreen wife Dina in the films, will reprise her role in the new movie, as will Polo, 56.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
In a notable moment, Hugh Bonneville, who portrays Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham, references one of Smith's most iconic lines as Violet, the Dowager Countess.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Jonsson stars as one such participant, Peter McVries, as does Cooper Hoffman, who portrays Raymond Garraty.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Also, why is arthouse pretty boy Louis Garrel, who portrays the leader of a resistance group known as Breakwalls (That’s seriously their name.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The show portrays seven von Trapp children, but the real family had 10 children.
—Debby Rice, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Mescal portrays Shakespeare, though Maggie O’Farrell’s novel — and Chloé Zhao’s adaptation — shift focus away from the playwright to Agnes and the family dynamic.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
But the story never leaves us with a sense that anything is incomplete, as Shear eloquently portrays the ways that near-misses can still feel like cataclysmic life events.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
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The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.—
Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The neural pathways that Wolf describes, those deep reading circuits built through sustained attention to text, are the same ones that enable complex reasoning, empathy, and the kind of patient thinking that democracy requires.—
Jessica Ewing
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Davey characterizes the Longbow strategy as flexible.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Vox Dei depicts these 100-year old images in a new light — literally, which is a fitting way to celebrate the centennial of the building, Roberson said.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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The real Larry was gay, though the film depicts him as more bisexual.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the film, Bajpayee plays the police officer while Jim Sarbh essays the role of the killer who goes by the fictional name Carl Bhojraj.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Soil moisture also plays a huge role, with the MSU Forestry Extension adding that ample precipitation is required for the most robust displays of color.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Filling a role with an external candidate who performs that role for another company today certainly remains a valid, viable hiring method.—
Maureen Cawley,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The net effect is a reduction in the effective cost basis of the stock by the amount of the premium, potentially enhancing overall returns if the stock performs moderately well.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their 13th album, International, interprets the ritual of early retirement sendoff as a boisterous dance party with plenty of music royalty cameos showing up to pay their respects.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
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Everyone interprets next steps differently.—
Kendra MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This represents the next generation of AI beyond current chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, which simply answer questions or generate content.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The unit in the 3100 block of Browning Avenue in San Jose was sold on July 31, 2025 for $1,550,000 which represents a price per square foot of $1,213.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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