1
as in to characterize
to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group the writer of the magazine article represented the students at the academy as a bunch of spoiled brats

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2
as in to depict
to present a picture of a painting representing the ocean at sunrise

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to symbolize
to serve as a material counterpart of this orange represents the sun and this pea represents the Earth

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 represent According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, as of 2020, over 6% of Americans attended nondenominational and independent churches, representing over 12 million individuals at over 60,000 churches. Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025 Raising Voices Still a Necessity for Disabled The idea that nearly 30 percent of Americans are underrepresented in films — or represented only in terms of their disability — should alert studios whose projects struggle to find audiences. Randee Dawn, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 This means that today's versions represent their least capable state. Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Earthquake magnitudes are measured on a logarithmic scale, meaning each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in power of the seismic waves, resulting in approximately 31.6 times more energy released. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for represent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for represent
Verb
  • Then came the gravity-defying blow dry, characterized by swinging ends and reflective shine.
    Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Read More: What Happened the Last Time Trump Withdrew From the Paris Agreement Trump also made a move to curtail offshore wind development, which the blueprint characterized as part of an agenda that would close off large sections of the ocean to commercial activity.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • If the content of his films skews towards the dark side, their form tends to be a bit more playful, undercutting some of the heaviness of what’s being depicted.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Contemporary sculptures of earthly Greek women were usually made from terra-cotta and depicted them clothed in tight cloaks.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The ensemble featured a black velvet fishtail sheath with a pink satin interior, designed to resemble an open clam, with Cardi symbolizing the pearl at its center.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Rejecting the pipeline would symbolize opening pathways toward green jobs, clean energy and growing Florida as a leader in climate resilience.
    Maya Shenefelt, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The way Gottlieb describes it, quite luxury in fashion involves using simple colors in high-end fabrics.
    Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Though it’s described as a lip oil, the tube shape and medium-coverage shades beg to differ.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Chalamet recently portrayed Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, the biopic directed by James Mangold, and performed all of his own vocals in the film.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Both films are about the preposterous beauty standards foisted upon women in our modern culture, yet both films seem determined to make these same women suffer, while portraying men as mostly bumbling buffoons whose chief infractions are wandering eyes.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Each is defined by bold color choices and original architectural elements for the perfect blend of old and new.
    Jessica Macdonald, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025
  • He’ll ultimately be defined, though, by his ability to continue to wait for plays to develop and stay cerebral as the speed of the level around him ramps up.
    Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Represent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/represent. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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