portrays
Plays the part
Portrays is the verb portray in action—to depict or represent someone or something.
An actor portrays a character; a painting portrays a scene; a novel portrays life in wartime.
The word often implies interpretation: The documentary portrays him as a visionary, Critics felt the film portrayed the era inaccurately.
Media coverage portrays events in particular ways, shaping public perception.
Stands in for
- illustratesShows by example
- rendersProvides or represents
- capturesTakes into custody
- conveysTransfers or expresses
shows · describes · presents · visualizes · dramatizes · embodies · evokes · characterizes
Carrying out a task
- rolePosition or part
- actorOne who portrays characters
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
theater · stage · scene · monologue · dialogue · script · audition · rehearsal
Heavy woven cloth
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- watercolorTranslucent paint medium
palette · masterpiece · gallery · exhibition · mural · landscape · realism · impressionism
Visual similarity or representation
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- iconPictorial screen symbol
image · avatar · manifestation · archetype · exemplar · metaphor · allegory · characterization
False outward appearance
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- veneerDecorative outer layer
distortion · misrepresentation · caricature · stereotype · bias · spin · propaganda · whitewash
represents
Stands in for
- illustratesShows by example
- rendersProvides or represents
- capturesTakes into custody
conveys · shows · describes · presents · visualizes · dramatizes · embodies · evokes · characterizes · interprets
performance
Carrying out a task
drama · theater · stage · scene · monologue · dialogue · script · audition · rehearsal · costume
canvas
Heavy woven cloth
- brushstrokesMarks left by painting
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
watercolor · palette · masterpiece · gallery · exhibition · mural · landscape · realism · impressionism · expressionism
likeness
Visual similarity or representation
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
icon · image · avatar · manifestation · archetype · exemplar · metaphor · allegory · characterization · interpretation
façade
False outward appearance
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
veneer · distortion · misrepresentation · caricature · stereotype · bias · spin · propaganda · whitewash · romanticize
portraysmisrepresents
Depicts inaccurately or deceptively
distorts · falsifies · mischaracterizes · perverts · misinterprets
portraysconceals
Keeps from being seen
hides · obscures · masks · suppresses · withholds
portraysignores
Refuses to acknowledge
overlooks · neglects · omits · disregards · passes over
- 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, portray, portrayal, portrayed, portraits, portraying, portraitist, portrayer, portraitists