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
Additional changes were made to the traditional Prince Charming character, which has been replaced with a new figure named Jonathan, portrayed by Andrew Burnap.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Both portrayed struggles within families and among different generations.
—Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Shifting the Household Financial Paradigm Historically, popular culture often portrayed men as the family financiers while women managed daily household tasks.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
John Lithgow is in final talks to play the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, previously portrayed in the films first by Richard Harris in The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets films and then by Michael Gambon in the rest of the movie installments.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Both portrayed struggles within families and among different generations.
—Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Shifting the Household Financial Paradigm Historically, popular culture often portrayed men as the family financiers while women managed daily household tasks.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
John Lithgow is in final talks to play the beloved Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, previously portrayed in the films first by Richard Harris in The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets films and then by Michael Gambon in the rest of the movie installments.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
Verb
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The report describes increases in applications, not students, so can be skewed by students applying to a greater number of colleges.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Sutin died in 2019, according to an online obituary that described him as a Santa Fe attorney who died in Texas.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The official characterized the attacks as an opening salvo against the Houthis and sends a strong message to Iran.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2025
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It’s characterized by new weakening in muscles previously affected by polio, as well as seemingly unaffected muscles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Outside those values, the objects depicted weren’t easily recognizable as trees.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
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An exhibit of paintings depicting the god Krishna by the Hindu Pushtimarg community will be on display at the National Museum of Asian Art starting Saturday.—
Mimi Montgomery,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Others lament that young people will lose the chance to build up fluid mental math skills while playing: develop number sense, compute sums and products, budget, compare value, think strategically or reason using simple probability.—
Ann Rutledge,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Jericho Rosales plays Quezon, and the cast also includes Mon Confiado, Benjamin Alves, Karylle Yuzon, Romnick Sarmenta, J.C. Santos and Cris Villanueva.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The four newcomers — representing the U.S., Japan and Russia — will spend the next few days learning the station’s ins and outs from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2025
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Civil rights attorney Dave O'Brien represents Angela Prichard's family.—
Jonathan Vigliotti,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The company's future braking system is highly integrated into the vehicle and performs nearly 100 functions.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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Mexican musician Natanael Cano, who has yet to perform in the United States, has been tapped as the Sunday Special Performer.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This happens because the brain interprets rejection—or even the fear of rejection—as a potential relational risk, activating survival mechanisms rather than connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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The hope now for David Cassirer and his family is that the 9th Circuit will interpret the California law passed last year to take precedence over federal law.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Then Sterling did some less effective things and got suspended anyway, so that mad idea was, at least, parked for the time being.—
Amy Lawrence,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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What needs to be done to prevent a Kessler meltdown?—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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