portrayal

noun

por·​tray·​al pȯr-ˈtrā(-ə)l How to pronounce portrayal (audio)
pər-
Synonyms of portrayal
1
: the act or process or an instance of portraying : representation
2
: portrait

Synonyms of portrayal

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Examples of portrayal in a Sentence

his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
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Take Louis-Dreyfus and her portrayal of Polly Wyeth, the matriarch of a blue-blooded Reaganite family celebrating Christmas Eve 2004 in Palm Springs, California. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 For Miller, the fact that Pike is a mother was key to her portrayal. — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 Commentators have also argued that Crawford’s reporting, at times, has given a more positive portrayal of conservative members of the High Court. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 The three leads rightly received Best Actress honors in the Un Certain Regard section for their raw portrayal of the headstrong women at the center of an unraveling middle-class family in San José, Costa Rica. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portrayal

Word History

Etymology

portray + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of portrayal was in 1843

Rhymes for portrayal

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Browse Nearby Words

portray
portrayal
portrayer
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Cite this Entry

“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portrayal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

portrayal

noun
por·​tray·​al pōr-ˈtrā(-ə)l How to pronounce portrayal (audio)
pȯr-
1
: the act or process of portraying : representation
2
: portrait sense 1
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