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Glite Dictionary
portrayed

portrayed

4.1
Shown in a picture or drawing
  • adjective
  • /pɔrˈtreɪd/
translation icon : representado
  • The ancient king is portrayed in the mural with a crown and a scepter.

Examples

  • On the cover, the heroine is portrayed with striking detail and vibrant colors.

  • The villain was portrayed as a shadowy figure in the comic book.

  • The artist portrayed the landscape beautifully in his latest painting.

  • In the film, the hero is portrayed as a brave and selfless character.

  • The statue portrayed the mythical creature with great accuracy.

Synonyms

to show
vsportrayed
  • US
932 1.0

To make a picture of a person or place

restricts this to graphic sketching and line based depiction
to portray
vsportrayed
182 3.9

To describe a person or thing in words

is about creating a visual image through drawn lines rather than words
to depict
vsportrayed
176 3.5

To show something in a picture or in words

limits expression to graphic, drawn depiction rather than verbal description
to represent
vsportrayed
126 2.6

Describe something in a particular way to show an idea

is narrowly about graphic, line based visual depiction rather than general presentation
to picture
vsportrayed
69 2.5

To make an image of a person or thing

is literally created by sketching lines or drawing techniques
to render
vsportrayed
52 6.3

To show an idea in an artistic way, for example in music, art, or translation

is narrower, referring to manual graphic sketching with lines
to limn
vsportrayed
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To show something clearly and with detail in painting or writing

is about plain graphic sketches made with lines, not vivid detail
depicted
vsportrayed
3.2

Shown in a picture or painting

is specific to graphic sketches or line based visual representation
pictured
vsportrayed
2.6

A thing shown in a photo or drawing

focuses on hand drawn sketch or line depiction rather than photos
represented
vsportrayed
3.2

Shown or described correctly and clearly

focuses on visual sketch accuracy rather than general precision
delineated
vsportrayed
  • Formal
5.8

Shown or described clearly with exact lines and limits

is specific to graphic sketching with lines rather than any precise account

How Detailed

to photograph
33 3.5
rendering
  • Specialized
20 5.8
portrayed
4.1
defined
3.2
trace
10 4.2

Surface Forms

portrayed positive

Morphology

portrayed = portray (transparent) = portray + ed

The past-participle/adjectival meaning is a direct, regular formation from the verb 'portray' with '-ed' marking 'depicted' or 'represented'.

Etymology

The word portrayed comes from portray, which used to mean 'to draw' or 'make a picture' and is the same idea behind portrait. So to be portrayed is to be 'shown' or described as if in a picture.