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
As shown by the Framework Laptop 16 and MacBook Pro, other systems can offer more graphics muscle, even if the RTX 5090 is the top spec on paper. — Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 19 Sep. 2026 According to a graphic provided to the Post-Tribune, residents are told to separate waste into vegetative and construction debris. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The stylish teen, who was wearing a graphic yellow tee, a black silk midi skirt with a lace hem and brown suede ballet flats, beamed for the cameras alongside her actress mother. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Neil Nakahodo created a graphic illustration for this report, and Emily Curiel, Tammy Ljungblad and Joshua Haines contributed photographs. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graphic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graphic
Noun
  • Along with sizable paintings from iconic American artists such as Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo, the museum features galleries with comic books, manga, and other illustrations that have historically been viewed only between paper pages.
    — Nava Rawls, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas and Mellody Hobson used the night to defend their ambitious narrative art museum, arguing that illustration and pop culture belong alongside masterworks as legitimate, emotionally resonant art.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The Paleolithic cave paintings of Chauvet depict vivid herds of rhinos at rest and at play.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Aperol—the vivid orange bittersweet liqueur, irreplaceable in neo-classics like the Naked & Famous and the Paper Plane—needs no introduction.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The collections showed a dichotomy of heritage meets contemporary life; intimacy meets provocation; belonging intersects with rootlessness, and memories, music, nature, street culture and personal histories become material for visual language.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • IvyCraft is designed for researchers, students, educators, content creators, consultants, and teams that regularly turn source material into presentations, videos, podcasts, or visual content.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For most of the past decade, the point-of-sale system has been treated as a solved problem—a commoditized terminal to be hollowed out, wrapped in APIs and pushed to the edge of the architecture diagram.
    — Peter Kellis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The starting materials are usually the officer’s observations and the crash diagram, plus statements from occupants and independent witnesses about who was sitting where and what each person was doing before impact.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Lucia is a largely benevolent force, found in the hospital casebook’s endless descriptive lines.
    — Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Before then, plants and animals had long descriptive phrases.
    — Sheryl DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Save for two works, all are inset with large photographic prints.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The sins of the father are ultimately presented in a literal, stomach-churning slideshow that haphazardly alternates benign family snaps with gleeful photographic evidence of Johan’s war crimes.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Some are painted with a stuttering distortion, like a computer image that’s failed to fully download.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, the image of the sickly, slumbering child recurs throughout Marcon’s work.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Each implant can be programmed to recognize pulses with specific voltages and durations, allowing the network to selectively activate individual devices.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The category rankings offer a more specific read on what buyers want.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Graphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graphic. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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