Question

portray:
1. to paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray a king on horseback.
2. figurative speech of; to describe in words.
3. to adorn with pictures.
4. to decorate. which definition has the closest meaning to portray as it is used in this sentence below? "the media tends to portray the united states as either too conservative or too liberal."
a) definition 1
b) definition 2
c) definition 3
d) definition 4

Answer 1

The most likely definition of the word portray is the second one which says “figurative speech of; to describe in words”.

Here the person is described as another one which usually happens in play or movies.

For instance, Hrithik Roshan portrays the role of Akbar in Jodha Akbar. Similar can be said in a play as well.