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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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
The actress, who portrays Bob Dylan’s girlfriend in James Mangold’s new biopic, walked the red carpet in a sleek Gucci gown with crystal embellishments.
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Hannah Malach, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
In this film, Rebel Ridge actor Aaron Pierre portrays a young Mufasa, who strikes up a friendship and brotherly bond with the lion Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr), who later becomes Scar.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Shannon’s Father, a powerful oil executive, tasks Son with writing a favorable biography that portrays him as a trailblazing leader, not a despoiler of the planet.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024
Israeli actress Noa Cohen portrays Mary, Israeli actor Ido Tako plays her husband, Joseph, and Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins appears as Herod the Great, the tyrannical leader on a relentless quest to find and kill the Messiah.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The Girl with the Needle portrays that girl as a blonde moppet named Erena (Avo Knox Martin) to whom Karoline becomes a surrogate mother.
—Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
This approach portrays you as resilient and forward-thinking.
—Andrew Fennell, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
His model portrays how emissions from economic activity impact the climate and generate future damages.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The veteran actor portrays a woman grappling with memory loss in director Suman Ghosh’s Bengali-language drama.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
Hannah Malach, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
In this film, Rebel Ridge actor Aaron Pierre portrays a young Mufasa, who strikes up a friendship and brotherly bond with the lion Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr), who later becomes Scar.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Shannon’s Father, a powerful oil executive, tasks Son with writing a favorable biography that portrays him as a trailblazing leader, not a despoiler of the planet.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024
Israeli actress Noa Cohen portrays Mary, Israeli actor Ido Tako plays her husband, Joseph, and Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins appears as Herod the Great, the tyrannical leader on a relentless quest to find and kill the Messiah.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The Girl with the Needle portrays that girl as a blonde moppet named Erena (Avo Knox Martin) to whom Karoline becomes a surrogate mother.
—Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
This approach portrays you as resilient and forward-thinking.
—Andrew Fennell, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
His model portrays how emissions from economic activity impact the climate and generate future damages.
—Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
The veteran actor portrays a woman grappling with memory loss in director Suman Ghosh’s Bengali-language drama.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays
Verb
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Kelly describes a telling example of flexibility in action.Jeff Fromm, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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Salman Rushdie describes the violent attack that nearly killed him.Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The guide characterizes Cariño as a Mexican and contemporary restaurant, where Chef Norman Fenton’s team offers a tasting menu of tacos with a modernist approach.Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2024
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The Tennessee law, adopted in 2023, prohibits young people from using hormones and puberty blockers for gender transition care that most leading medical organizations say are safe and effective, but that the state characterizes as unproven and risky.arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The image depicts a man resembling Osama bin Laden dressed in a Santa Claus costume.DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024
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The dynamic clip was directed by Jonah Haber and depicts Tinashe being detained in a cell, struggling to escape as onlookers watch her dance.Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Watch on Deadline The network typically performs very well toward the end of the year with both 25 Days of Christmas and 31 Nights of Halloween in October, which both include a lineup of fan-favorite films to draw audiences in.Katie Campione, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
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Dylan shows up midway through the taping and performs a song with Moffette.Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The provision could ripple through the industry — depending on how the Pentagon interprets it.Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
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Each side interprets the data to fit its narrative, often deepening divides rather than bridging them.Francois Botha, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The creation of the company represents one among many steps toward climate neutrality by 2030, as part of Boss’ sustainability pledge, which also includes achieving climate neutrality throughout its entire value chain by 2045.Martino Carrera, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
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Although not a lineup anchor, Gimenez represents an obvious defensive upgrade at a position where Toronto is projected to split time between Will Wagner and Davis Schneider in 2025.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near portrays
Cite this Entry
“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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