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 The gleaming white Capitol building rising between the blue waves makes Madison a uniquely picturesque place. Peter Cameron, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 In another, the pair shared a kiss against the picturesque landscape. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 The project, named Lookout Above Litomyšl, is located in a picturesque town in the Czech Republic. New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025 Stierli is particularly concerned with the situation at Great Falls, where trails and picturesque cliffsides along the Potomac River attract many visitors, especially with this weekend’s pleasant weather. Brian Todd, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for picturesque
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • Before the Lost Weekend, John and Yoko had their New York Year — turning their personal confusions into beautifully vivid moments of rage and pain.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Sugar maples turn bright red, and red maples change from vivid red to orange to bright yellow.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
  • After a drone strike destroys her home, Alice, a graphic designer in her thirties, finds unexpected love with Vadym, a soldier briefly on leave.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With the addition of Gemini AI on the software side, your notifications about a person or package being detected are going to get a whole lot more descriptive.
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Google’s Search Central guidance and WCAG principles both emphasize making content easy to crawl and understand, using clear headings, logical site structures, descriptive alt text and meaningful link text.
    Ran Ronen, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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