portray

verb

pȯr-ˈtrā How to pronounce portray (audio)
Definition of portraynext
1
as in to describe
to give a representation or account of in words the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to characterize
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 to depict
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 to play
to present a portrayal or performance of gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show

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 portray Barr will portray Duane’s oldest son, Calvin Whitlock, an attractive and ambitious man who’s been driven out of the business of auto racing for good and doesn’t like to be reminded of it. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 July 2026 In the many legends about Siva and Vishnu portrayed in the temples and re-narrated by Selvam, things happen in a dimension distinct from historical time. — Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026 Rob, who died in December at age 78, portrayed George Washington in a segment inspired by the first president’s decision to step away after two terms in office. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders. — Jenny Jarvie follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for portray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portray
  1. describe
  2. characterize
  3. depict
  4. play
  5. represent
  6. perform
  7. interpret
  8. do
Verb
  • Tribes describe the last of three waves of European incursions, nearly 85 years after Serra hung the first Mission bell in San Diego in 1769, as the most brutal.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Rodríguez described scenes of children hospitalized with amputations and survivors grieving multiple family deaths.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of describe
Verb
  • To characterize the new mode, Kyle Uckert, SHERLOC’s deputy principal investigator at NASA’s JPL, and his colleagues collected spectra from spare flight optics in their own lab.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
  • The standoff forces the platform to weigh compliance against a potentially expanding pattern of government control over social media — a tension that has also characterized India’s years-long friction with X over content-takedown orders.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of characterize
Verb
  • Barin is the hotel’s high-end teppanyaki restaurant, seating 10 people at the counter and up to 16 in booths lining a long mural hand-drawn on gold leaf depicting Osaka’s history.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Zhenwu’s roots stretch back to ancient days as the god of the North, when he was often depicted as a turtle entwined with a snake.
    — Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Definition of depict
Verb
  • Win prizes playing interactive games, network with artists and entrepreneurs and enjoy signature drinks and bar snacks available for purchase.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Men leaders can pay attention to and be mindful of who in the workplace may be playing more of an emotional support role that falls outside their job description.
    — Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • The prices are high enough that health care spending represents 18% of the nation’s gross domestic product.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The Balboa Peninsula, which Stapleton represents on the council, has historically been an infamous hot spot for public drinking, disruptive parties and brawls throughout the summer and especially during the Fourth of July.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of represent
Verb
  • The superstar performed at Inglewood’s Kia Forum on Monday, as well as last night, on her Lux Tour.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Sources told Rolling Stone that Stevie Nicks, a longtime friend of Swift, will be present at the ceremony — and another said that the singer-songwriter would perform on the special day.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of perform
Verb
  • The concerns now being raised by faculty should not be interpreted as proof that admissions policies have failed, and the causes of declining academic preparation extend well beyond admissions offices.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • For Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer, the race will be interpreted through the lens of their relative influence as Democratic Party power brokers.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Definition of interpret
Verb
  • The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The band is forced into doing take after take in his quest to fully convey his own emotions.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of do

Browse Nearby Words

portraitures
portray
portrayal
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Cite this Entry

“Portray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portray. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of portray for Spanish Speakers

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