As a verb meaning "to depict" or "to represent":
* The painting portrays a beautiful landscape with rolling hills and a sparkling river.
* The actor portrayed the character with great depth and emotion.
* The novel portrays the harsh realities of life in the slums.
As a verb meaning "to act the part of":
* The young actress portrayed Juliet in the school play.
* He portrayed the role of a hardened detective in the movie.
As a noun meaning "a depiction" or "a representation":
* The artist's portrayal of the human figure was both realistic and expressive.
* The author's portrayal of love and loss was deeply moving.
In a figurative sense:
* The news report portrayed the situation as far worse than it actually was.
* His words portrayed a sense of anger and frustration.
Remember that "portray" can be used in various contexts and with different meanings, so pay attention to the specific meaning in each sentence.