PORTRAYS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

portrays

verb

present tense third-person singular of portray

as in describes

to give a representation or account of in words the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness

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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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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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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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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 portrays Amie Donald physically portrays M3GAN, with Jenna Davis providing the voice. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The film is directed by Gotham Chopra, portrays NBA superstar Stephen Curry reaching a record 4,000 three-pointers on the basketball court, and the shooting mastery behind the Golden State Warrior team leader’s sporting greatness. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 In the film, Maia Reficco portrays Oriah ‘Ry’ Pera, a young dancer facing some health challenges when her mother Isolde (Eva Longoria) brings her to the Spanish island of Majorca, where Isolde grew up, for a vacation and some family time. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 Garfield portrays the tech executive in the drama, which takes place during the five-day corporate saga in November 2023 that saw Altman abruptly fired as OpenAI CEO before ultimately returning to the company. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 In the book, Auf der Maur portrays this as an unhappy development. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 Bonale Fambrini, who portrays Johnny Cade, said the show's themes can resonate with audiences of all ages. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Keen portrays Connor, alongside Ella Rubin, in the 2026 Prime Video series Sterling Point. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 The Halogram, for instance — the backup consciousness of Hal Jordan stored in the power ring that Chandler also portrays — subtly plays off of some of that history. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrays

Verb

Human Intelligence As Spec The Knowing markets itself as 100% human intelligence, which Thomas describes as a business proposition rather than a moral one.

— Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of describes

Verb

Golf equipment powerhouse Callaway ended its partnership with Good Good Golf amid the justified backlash over a video ad for a new Callaway driver that depicts a man aggressively shoving a woman to the ground.

— Greg Cote August 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
The portrait, painted during Rembrandt’s later years, depicts Catrina Hooghsaet, a wealthy Mennonite woman from Amsterdam, who lived apart from her husband.

— News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of depicts

Verb

Sabally’s younger sister Nyara, who plays for the Toronto Tempo, is yet to make her comeback from a calf injury, while Liberty’s Leonie Fiebich, another key player, is just back from a foot injury.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
In adults, the hormone plays a role in blood sugar control, bone density and muscle growth.

— Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of plays

Verb

Across its restaurants, bars, and private dining experiences, Conrad Punta de Mita interprets the flavors of Mexico’s Pacific coast with creativity and balance.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026
Sickafoose's team interprets this as being the haze particles settling towards lower latitudes.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of interprets

Verb

Georgia Cartwright, the Fort Worth Herd trail boss, said each of the 17 longhorns represents a decade of the city’s existence.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
Jordan’s Ferrari represents Joopiter’s entry into the surging high-end collector-car market.

— Benjamin Burrows, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of represents

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portraying

portrays

ports

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“Portrays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrays. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of portrays

verb

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