as in depiction
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 portrayal
His portrayal of best-selling thriller writer Greg Russo — adrift in a New England college after a disastrous campus speaking engagement — lands in that sweet spot between comedy and drama that has increasingly defined the modern Emmy landscape.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 May 2026
Hathaway’s portrayal of the typically opulent song is grounded in reality first, without sacrificing any of its big emotions.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Equally concerning is the portrayal of public school funding as a burden rather than an investment.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 May 2026
Hathaway’s portrayal of the typically opulent song is grounded in reality first, without sacrificing any of its big emotions.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Equally concerning is the portrayal of public school funding as a burden rather than an investment.
—Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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At a time of intensifying divisions at home, a depiction of Ecuador could offer an Edenic, new-world landscape free from the partisanship tainting Church’s New England landscapes.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Sanchez-Bezos seems to have wanted to send a message through her own look for the night — a Schiaparelli gown riffing off of the John Singer Sargent portrait of Madame X, a depiction of a socialite that caused its own scandalous reception.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Surface is the third piece of the puzzle, though those descriptions are a little easier to grasp.—
Neil Greenberg,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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The addition of spoken word passages by local Geordie poet Cooper Robson, who drifts through balladic descriptions of community, working-class masculinity, and pickled onions, aids Knats in their explorations of their hometown.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Carly will modify her design according to the needs of future exhibitions, which include shows with Karen Kilimnik and Joseph Geagan; the latter’s will incorporate portraits of members of the Vegas scene, Carly among them.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Through simple text and brilliant animal illustrations reminiscent of Eric Carle’s finest, Caldecott honoree Christian Robinson presents a lovely and nuanced portrait of dads across the animal kingdom, from lions to seahorses to humans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The junior shortstop/outfielder drew that picture Monday before Lemont (17-7) had its South Suburban Conference crossover game against Oak Lawn (10-8) postponed due to inclement weather.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
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As the first block was hoisted, Alemani darted to the railing to take a picture.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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