Synonyms

represent

American

[rep-ri-zent] / ˌrɛp rɪˈzɛnt /

verb (used with object)

to serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize.

In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good.

Synonyms:

exemplify
to express or designate by some term, character, symbol, or the like.

to represent musical sounds by notes.
to stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does.

He represents the company in Boston.
to speak and act for by delegated authority.

to represent one's government in a foreign country.
to act for or in behalf of (a constituency, state, etc.) by deputed right in exercising a voice in legislation or government.

He represents Chicago's third Congressional district.
to portray or depict; present the likeness of, as a picture does.

The painting represents him as a man 22 years old.

Synonyms:

delineate
to present or picture to the mind.
to present in words; set forth; describe; state.
to set forth or describe as having a particular character (usually followed by as, to be, etc.).

The article represented the dictator as a benevolent despot.
to set forth clearly or earnestly with a view to influencing opinion or action or making protest.
to present, produce, or perform, as on a stage.
to impersonate, as in acting.

Synonyms:

portray
to serve as an example or specimen of; exemplify.

a genus represented by two species.
to be the equivalent of; correspond to.

The llama of the New World represents the camel of the Old World.

verb (used without object)

to protest; make representations against.
Slang. to use or display a secret handshake, sign, gesture, etc., for purposes of identification.

The gang members always represent when they see one another.

represent British

/ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt /

verb

to stand as an equivalent of; correspond to

our tent represents home to us when we go camping
to act as a substitute or proxy (for)
to act as or be the authorized delegate or agent for (a person, country, etc)

an MP represents his constituency
to serve or use as a means of expressing

letters represent the sounds of speech
to exhibit the characteristics of; exemplify; typify

romanticism in music is represented by Beethoven
to present an image of through the medium of a picture or sculpture; portray
to bring clearly before the mind
to set forth in words; state or explain
to describe as having a specified character or quality; make out to be

he represented her as a saint
to act out the part of on stage; portray
to perform or produce (a play); stage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of represent

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English representen, from Middle French representer, from Latin repraesentāre “to bring about immediately, make present,” equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + praesentāre “to present ² ( def. ) ”

Explanation

Use the word represent when something stands in for something else — whether it's your congressman representing your interests in Washington or the thimble that represents you as it makes its way around the Monopoly board. We live in a democracy in which we elect a few people to represent the wishes and desires of the rest of us. Their job is literally to "re-present" the voters' demands in Congress. That's why we call them our "representatives." In the world of art, however, to represent something can mean to express its essence by means of something different. For example a ball of string can represent, or symbolize, a cat.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing represent

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

List 6

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

represent represents represented representing

Their minuscule tenures represent an impressive race to the bottom in a once-prestigious role that was created just under a century ago, during the Great Depression.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

"Gas turbines appear in the planning documents because they represent the worst case for emissions and noise, so assessing them tests the upper limit of any impact."

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Many exchanges and trading venues are eager to offer digital tokens that represent traditional shares and can trade 24/7.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Solid white regions represent areas with the greatest ice coverage, while dark blue indicates open ocean.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

They especially wanted paintings that would represent their own greatness.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Tesla’s moving forward with the long-planned sports car represents a slight rekindling of its core auto business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

No dichotomy better represents Berlant’s razor-sharp, thoroughly tasteful wit, which sits halfway between refined humorist and go-for-broke court jester.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026

Glori’s character also represents a refreshing departure from the way Latina women are often portrayed onscreen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

This represents an area beyond the historical coverage of the satellite sensors, where direct measurements were unavailable.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

The printing press represents an information revolution, and secure facts are its consequence.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

While he was yet to earn senior international honours, Andrews had represented the Junior Springboks in 2015.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

“There’s some things I think don’t portray the facts exactly quite right, but they recorded 500 hours and you’re not going to love everything that’s on the screen. Everybody is represented in this film.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

These problems compound when a model is working in a language that is less represented in A.I. training data.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

But that figure only represented only a fraction of what he was due over the remainder of his contract.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The real one tapers, but the electronic one is represented as a cylinder as big around as the fat end of the tamping iron.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

The two companies representing Prince's interests in the DRC, Vectus Global and Quantum Global Consulting, maintain a presence in the national capital Kinshasa, but their executives keep a low profile.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Their search produced a list of 20 exceptionally large individuals representing 18 different species.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Proofpoint will pay $49.75 a share for Varonis, representing a 52% premium over the stock’s June 22 closing price.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

In 1997, Donaldson became the MP for Lagan Valley, representing the UUP.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

As he ran, he could feel the sweat tracing a line down his back, every single drop representing the work he’d been putting in since that very first win years ago.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023