Synonyms of picturesque

picturesque

adjective

ˌpik-chə-ˈresk 

as in vivid

producing a mental picture through clear and impressive description

wrote a picturesque tale of their journey across the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vivid
• graphical
• graphic
• descriptive
• specific
• expressive
• pictorial
• visual
• delineated
• depicted
• realistic
• explicit
• photographic
• concrete
• fresh
• natural
• faithful
• lifelike
• sharp
• incisive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obscure
• vague
• sketchy
• unclear
• indeterminate
• nebulous
• dark
• shadowy
• muddy
• foggy
• faint
• hazy
• indistinct
• dim
• fuzzy
• indefinite
• murky
• blurry
• indistinguishable
• mysterious
• ambiguous
• enigmatic
• bleary
• inscrutable
• cryptic
• equivocal
• shadowlike
• enigmatical

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

Recent Examples of picturesque

The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum has an enormous (22 feet by 100 feet) model railroad built in a picturesque Western North Carolina landscape. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025

This picturesque location is one of Ontario’s natural gems, known for its towering limestone cliffs, centuries-old trees and an intricate cave system. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

By Erin Hudson, Bloomberg A private school in Hillsborough is borrowing $26 million in muni bonds to modernize the historic mansion that stands as the picturesque centerpiece of the campus. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025

That would be Matthew Lewis (the Harry Potter series’ Neville Longbottom) as Canon Daniel Clement, the rector in picturesque Champton. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025