portrayal

noun

pȯr-ˈtrā(-ə)l How to pronounce portrayal (audio)
Definition of portrayalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 portrayal The author’s portrayal of Gen-Z college students in The Radiance is too familiar. — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 Gosling is in the conversation for Best Actor for his portrayal of a scientist marooned alone on a spacecraft, as are Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz, who plays the sage extraterrestrial Rocky. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026 The result is a moving portrayal of Linkin Park’s return to music following the 2017 death of singer Chester Bennington. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2026 These two novels are just a sampling of recent portrayals of this surreal land of limbo, but there are many more. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portrayal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portrayal
  1. depiction
  2. description
  3. portrait
  4. picture
Noun
  • The project faced controversy because of its depiction of two gay characters.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The 1997 Disney movie Hercules mixed Roman and Greek names, helping propagate this and other inaccuracies (not uncommon in Hollywood’s depictions of ancient Greece).
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of depiction
Noun
  • Bread & Butter’s title track is the only time when things decamp to the treacly, mostly because of how Cartunez’s syrupy beat drowns out Droog’s hazy memories of 9/11 and descriptions of a side chick who looks like Ronnie from The Player’s Club.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Inspired by Qur’anic descriptions of paradise, Sheikh Zayed’s vision was to bring a garden into marble and light.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of description
Noun
  • Other organizations abandoned associations with Hastert, and his portrait was removed from a hallway outside the House chamber.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • While a portrait collection of the resort’s presidential guests caters to quite a fitting name, there’s a new top tier spirit and fine wine collection–along with swanky designs, space for live music, and eventually, a game of pool.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of portrait
Noun
  • While population growth has long been a tailwind for growth and creditworthiness, falling fertility rates and unprecedented speed of changing age structures are now changing that picture, Moody’s writes.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In a picture shared in the post taken on Fall Picture Day, Cagle said Burfield had relaxed smile and a sense of ease.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of picture

Browse Nearby Words

portray
portrayal
portrayals
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Cite this Entry

“Portrayal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portrayal. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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