portray vs commend

portray and commend both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
portray	No	No	Yes	No
commend	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, commend is a hyponym of portray; that is, commend is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than portray:

portray: represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
commend: present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence

portray (verb)	commend (verb)
portray in words	express approbation of
make a portrait of	mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship
assume or act the character of	express a good opinion of
represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture	give to in charge
	present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence