represent vs portray

represent and portray both are verbs.

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

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

Other hyponyms of represent include belie, misrepresent, dramatise, dramatize, embody.

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

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

Other hyponyms of represent include make, make believe, pretend, support, act out, enact, reenact, act out, impersonate, parody, emote.

represent (verb)	portray (verb)
to establish a mapping (of mathematical elements or sets)	portray in words
serve as a means of expressing something	make a portrait of
express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol	assume or act the character of
point out or draw attention to in protest or remonstrance	represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
bring forward and present to the mind
describe or present, usually with respect to a particular quality
create an image or likeness of
play a role or part
perform (a play), especially on a stage
be a delegate or spokesperson for; represent somebody's interest or be a proxy or substitute for, as of politicians and office holders representing their constituents, or of a tenant representing other tenants in a housing dispute
be representative or typical for
be the defense counsel for someone in a trial
form or compose
be typical of
take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to