Portray is a versatile word that can be substituted with a plethora of synonyms. If you want to describe how someone displays or represents something, alternatives like depict, illustrate, and characterize are ideal. If you're putting someone in a particular role, like an actor or actress, you could use casting, assigning, or embodying. If you're conveying a particular emotion or personality trait, synonyms like convey, express, or exemplify work well. Other options include render, show, symbolize, or describe. Overall, the key to selecting the perfect synonym for portray is to determine the context of the portrayal and the precise impression you're trying to convey.