What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
portray
Example
The artist portrayed the sunset with vivid colors and brushstrokes. [portrayed: verb]
Example
She portrayed the role of a detective in the movie. [portrayed: past tense]
Example
The news article portrayed the politician as corrupt and dishonest. [portrayed: verb]
represent
Example
The dove represents peace and harmony. [represents: verb]
Example
The lawyer represented the defendant in court. [represented: past tense]
Example
The graph represents the data in a clear and concise manner. [represents: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Represent is more commonly used than portray in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Portray is more commonly used in the context of art or media.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between portray and represent?
Represent is generally considered more formal than portray, as it is often used in legal, political, or business contexts.
