graphic 1 of 2

Definition of graphicnext
variants also graphical

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective graphic differ from other similar words?

The words picturesque and vivid are common synonyms of graphic. While all three words mean "giving a clear visual impression in words," graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture.

a graphic account of combat

When can picturesque be used instead of graphic?

Although the words picturesque and graphic have much in common, 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 would vivid be a good substitute for graphic?

In some situations, the words vivid and graphic are roughly equivalent. However, 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 graphic
Noun
The graphic above shows that there is year-to-year variability due to things like El Niño and La Niña, but the overall trend clearly establishes a warming trend. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Ashley Mowreader Ashley Mowreader is a data graphics intern for NBC News. Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Adjective
News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing. Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 The illustrator and graphic artist turned filmmaker at the age of 50. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for graphic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graphic
Noun
  • While the earliest complete Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus, lacks illustrations, by the fifth century illustrations began accompanying biblical texts, enhancing their visual and spiritual impact.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • This past weekend offered a vivid reminder of that purpose and our mission in motion.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
  • Color, particularly the vivid hues of local birds and flowers as well as the more muted tones of sand and rock, was as important to her as material, with layering also playing a part in both her sculptures and her works on paper.
    News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The deployment aims to reduce the time required for general visual inspections while improving consistency across repetitive maintenance tasks.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Now, yes, staring at the ceiling long enough to draw you a diagram of the paint peeling.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Someone other than the original builder should review the code or process diagrams.
    Aaron Rallo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • These sentences are part of a four-plus-page descriptive riff, one of many passages that lend the novel a teeming, avid opacity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
  • All the trappings of rage—the non-descriptive mentions of drug intake, the unspecified sadness, the shock-rock innuendos—are unshakeable.
    Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • Burgum was asked and did not answer directly whether there was photographic evidence of vandals cutting the pool’s liner.
    Steve Peoples, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • Hailing from Taiwan, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Macau, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the exhibition uses captivating photographic art to guide us into memories preserved within the images.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The flag was also draped over Khamenei’s casket in images published last week by his official X account.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro, the person said, projects a similar tough-guy image.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Multiple readers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and 11Alive viewers have reached out to me with this specific concern.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Graphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graphic. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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