as in depiction
a vivid representation in words of someone or something
his novel presents a moving portrayal of a woman searching for personal fulfillment and happiness
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Recent Examples of portrayal
The gangland drama is deeper and darker than the domestic one, strengthened by the unexpected portrayal of the Russian toughs as bumbling in their own way.
—
Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
His portrayal of Scottish Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson is a truly stunning turn, but ironically, the events of that evening also proved why the film is so necessary right now.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Such could also be said of May Heinecke for her nuanced portrayal of the most introverted sister, Beth, and Audrey Parker as the explosively ebullient youngest, Amy.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
If the Tribune’s portrayal is accurate, that is astonishing.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
His portrayal of Scottish Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson is a truly stunning turn, but ironically, the events of that evening also proved why the film is so necessary right now.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Such could also be said of May Heinecke for her nuanced portrayal of the most introverted sister, Beth, and Audrey Parker as the explosively ebullient youngest, Amy.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
If the Tribune’s portrayal is accurate, that is astonishing.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Somehow, the word, in its double-pronged definition, gets to the heart of these pictures, and perhaps is the key to understanding Hurst himself.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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Nearly three years after their arrests, prosecutors abruptly brought Bryant into their picture of the killing.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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