Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective picturesque differ from other similar words?

The words graphic and vivid are common synonyms of picturesque. While all three words mean "giving a clear visual impression in words," picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm.

a picturesque account of his travels

When could graphic be used to replace picturesque?

In some situations, the words graphic and picturesque are roughly equivalent. However, graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture.

a graphic account of combat

When is it sensible to use vivid instead of picturesque?

The synonyms vivid and picturesque are sometimes interchangeable, but vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of picturesque British filmmaker Charlie Shackleton brought his true crime meta-documentary Zodiac Killer Project, which world premiered at Sundance, to the picturesque spa town and entertained the audience during Q&As following screenings. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025 Finish your Glacier excursion with a fly fishing trip down the middle fork of the Flathead River, one of the best— and most picturesque—spots in the country for cutthroats and rainbows. Robert Annis, Outside Online, 3 July 2025 So just like that, the exec packed up his life in Colorado and moved with his family to the picturesque town nestled near the Alps. Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025 Located in the picturesque town of Rothes in the Speyside region, it was founded in 1840 by the visionary brothers John and James Grant. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for picturesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • Her hair is a vivid true scarlet, Crayola marker red—not auburn, not cherry cola, not copper, not strawberry—and worn long and pin-straight with bangs.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 15 July 2025
  • The film — a vivid portrayal of homelessness and mental health on the streets of London — bowed in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard sidebar in May to solid reviews and an enthusiastic 5-minute standing ovation.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the onslaught of graphic videos the victims are lost, yet simultaneously the viewer is lost as well.
    Will Potter July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Optimizing images with descriptive alt text and creating high-quality videos answering queries helps rankings.
    Jonathan Schwartz, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • What a colorful, descriptive and absolutely apt adjective.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picturesque. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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