as in portrait
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
the author's meticulous portraiture of a small Midwestern town at the turn of the century
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 portraiture
So much of the mystique of portraiture is defined by the grade and quality of the intimacy between sitter and photographer.
—
Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Pearls and portraiture and pearls are combined in headdresses; a gentleman’s glove is adorned with filigree and tourmalines.
—Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Some were local to Bamako, and others travelled long distances just to get their portrait taken by the man who had emerged as the region’s authority in portraiture.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The winner of the National Portrait Gallery’s prestigious portraiture competition paints a disturbing picture of America.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portraiture
Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Pearls and portraiture and pearls are combined in headdresses; a gentleman’s glove is adorned with filigree and tourmalines.
—Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Some were local to Bamako, and others travelled long distances just to get their portrait taken by the man who had emerged as the region’s authority in portraiture.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The winner of the National Portrait Gallery’s prestigious portraiture competition paints a disturbing picture of America.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portraiture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portraiture
Noun
-
Carly will modify her design according to the needs of future exhibitions, which include shows with Karen Kilimnik and Joseph Geagan; the latter’s will incorporate portraits of members of the Vegas scene, Carly among them.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Through simple text and brilliant animal illustrations reminiscent of Eric Carle’s finest, Caldecott honoree Christian Robinson presents a lovely and nuanced portrait of dads across the animal kingdom, from lions to seahorses to humans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Surface is the third piece of the puzzle, though those descriptions are a little easier to grasp.—
Neil Greenberg,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The addition of spoken word passages by local Geordie poet Cooper Robson, who drifts through balladic descriptions of community, working-class masculinity, and pickled onions, aids Knats in their explorations of their hometown.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Your portrayal of Naema’s ambivalence, her pride, her shame at being unable to use her medical degree and skills in this new country, her anger at Jimmy and also her appreciation of his saving her life, and her son and mother-in-law, is masterful.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Dolph Lundgren first brought the comic book character to life on screen in a 1989 movie, followed by Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson in two standalone 2000s movies, but Jon Bernthal has had the most popular portrayal.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Three episodes into its third season, Euphoria delivers a Cassie crashout more theatrical than the time her sister Lexi wrote an extremely unflattering depiction of Cassie into the school play.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But those sequences had to be removed after producers discovered a clause in the settlement with the young accuser that barred the depiction or mention of him in film or television.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portraiture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portraiture. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
