portray
Play a role
To portray is to depict or represent someone or something, whether in visual art, writing, or performance.
An actor portrays a character; a novelist portrays small-town life; a painting portrays a battle scene.
The word implies interpretation—how something is portrayed shapes how it's understood: The media portrayed him as a hero.
A portrayal can be accurate, sympathetic, or distorted.
One who portrays characters
- actressFemale stage performer
- rolePosition or part
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- performanceCarrying out a task
interpret · embody · personify · impersonate · theater · stage · screenplay · script
Describe distinctive qualities
- defineState precise meaning
- delineateDescribe with precision
- outlineSummary of key elements
- sketchHasty informal drawing
profile · detail · explain · articulate · convey · interpret · present · frame
Colored coating substance
- drawCreate with pencil
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
brushstroke · likeness · rendering · composition · easel · medium · oil · watercolor
Stand in for
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- renderCause to become
- captureTake into custody
- showMake something apparent
convey · picture · visualize · image · present · display · exhibit · reproduce
Depict inaccurately or falsely
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- overstateRepresent as greater
- skewTwist from straight
slant · spin · caricature · stereotype · sensationalize · distort · falsify · dramatize
actor
One who portrays characters
performance · interpret · embody · personify · impersonate · theater · stage · screenplay · script · audition
characterize
Describe distinctive qualities
sketch · profile · detail · explain · articulate · convey · interpret · present · frame · summarize
paint
Colored coating substance
canvas · brushstroke · likeness · rendering · composition · easel · medium · oil · watercolor · mural
represent
Stand in for
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- renderCause to become
- captureTake into custody
show · convey · picture · visualize · image · present · display · exhibit · reproduce · recreate
misrepresent
Depict inaccurately or falsely
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- embellishAdd decorative elements
- overstateRepresent as greater
skew · slant · spin · caricature · stereotype · sensationalize · distort · falsify · dramatize · romanticize
mimic
One who copies others
channel · simulate · replicate · copy · parody · satirize · lampoon · spoof · mock · ape
- impersonationimpersonator, mimic, imitate, imitation, impressionist
- expressionexpress, convey, communicate, verbal, nonverbal
- acting verbspretend, perform, enact, play a role, rehearse
- performingperform, sing, play, act, dance
- representrepresent, stand for, symbolize, embody, personify
- showingshow, displaying, display, exhibiting, demonstrate
portraymisrepresent
Depict inaccurately or falsely
distort · falsify · misportray · misdescribe · pervert
- family portraitImage capturing related individuals
- candid portraitsUnposed photographs of people
- watercolor portraitFace painted with water-based pigments
- self portraitImage of its creator
- portrait modeUpright display orientation
- group portraitImage showing several people
portrait, portrayal, portrayed, portraits, portraiture, portraying, portrays, portraitist, portrayer