depict

[dih-pikt]

See more synonyms for depict on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to represent by or as if by painting; portray; delineate.
to represent or characterize in words; describe.

Origin of depict

1625–35; < Latin dēpictus (past participle of dēpingere), equivalent to dē- de- + pic- past participle stem of pingere to paint + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsde·pict·er, de·pic·tor, nounde·pic·tion, nounde·pic·tive, adjectiveun·de·pict·ed, adjectivewell-de·pict·ed, adjective

Synonyms for depict

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1. reproduce, draw, paint, limn.

Synonym study

1, 2. Depict, portray, sketch imply a representation of an object or scene by colors or lines, or by words. Depict emphasizes vividness of detail: to depict the confusion of departure. Portray emphasizes faithful representation: We could not portray the anguish of the exiles. Sketch suggests the drawing of the outlines of the most prominent features or details, often in a preparatory way: to sketch the plans for a community development.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for depict

portray, represent, sketch, characterize, detail, reproduce, paint, interpret, illustrate, delineate, picture, outline, relate, image, state, limn, report, design, narrate, sculpt

Examples from the Web for depict

Contemporary Examples of depict

On the opposite end of the spectrum are two other standout works, which depict Mary as a loving, nurturing mother.
The Virgin Mary Lookbook
William O’Connor
December 7, 2014
The resultant pop culture is as morbid and contagious as the epidemics they depict.
Ebola Rages in West Africa, Reigniting Humanity’s Oldest Fear: The Plague
Scott Bixby
August 4, 2014
As a reward for her attempt to depict the consequences of online commenters, Gwyneth Paltrow has become their latest victim.
Gwyneth Was Right: America Turned Communication Into a Weaponized Battlefield
James Poulos
June 1, 2014
The show tried to depict consensual sex between Jaime and Cersei Lannister—but messed up big time.
Why We Should Pretend the ‘Game of Thrones’ Rape Scene Never Happened
Andrew Romano
May 4, 2014
These photos, which were shared by residents and local news outlets on Twitter, depict the chaos.
Atlanta Is Frozen: See Photos of the Commute from Hell
Brian Ries
January 29, 2014

Historical Examples of depict

Shakespeare is perfectly willing to depict Hotspur as scorning the arts.
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
With what pencil and on what kind of plate could one depict it?
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
The painter would not depict every twig, as would the naturalist.
The Forest
Stewart Edward White
I cannot depict to you my surprise at hearing him speak in this way.
Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No IV, April 1863
Various
With Joan at his side he moved in a mental paradise which no language could depict.
The Golden Woman
Ridgwell Cullum

British Dictionary definitions for depict

depict

verb (tr)

to represent by or as by drawing, sculpture, painting, etc; delineate; portray
to represent in words; describe

Derived Formsdepicter or depictor, noundepiction, noundepictive, adjective

Word Origin for depict

C17: from Latin dēpingere, from pingere to paint

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

Word Origin and History for depict

early 15c., from Latin depictus, past participle of depingere "to portray, paint, sketch; describe, imagine," from de- "down" (see de-) + pingere "to paint" (see paint (v.)). Related: Depicted; depicting.