Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vivid differ from other similar words?

The words graphic and picturesque are common synonyms of vivid. While all three words mean "giving a clear visual impression in words," vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

In what contexts can graphic take the place of vivid?

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

a graphic account of combat

When can picturesque be used instead of vivid?

The meanings of picturesque and vivid largely overlap; however, 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

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 vivid The more vivid the tapestry of flowers included in the exterior paint design, the better. James Raia, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025 No backlight is needed, allowing deep blacks, vivid colors, and efficient energy use. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 It's got deep contrast with inky blacks and vivid colors, Google TV with hands-free Google Assistant, and super-low input lag. PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Hostile designs Spite architecture has a short but vivid history, most of it American. Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vivid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vivid
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  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The early days of the internet saw intense competition between graphical web browsers.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The writing from both Lisa and Riley is so honest and descriptive you are teleported into their world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The problem is that much of the space research is descriptive rather than analytical.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The picturesque grounds tend to steal the show here, though.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Imposing granite cliff faces like Half Dome and El Capitan, serene meadows and forests, and the picturesque Merced River, all tend to come to mind.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Welcome to the ninth edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each Thursday, Anantaajith Raghuraman analyses the entire division through a specific lens.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Differences in specific genes may cause a person to metabolize caffeine quickly or slowly.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The resulting image depicts a loose choreography—several children hold their ringed arms in front of them, fingertips touching—but the over-all impression is one of gleeful, expressive chaos.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • It was thought that the simple last scene of Tom readying Ethan’s bedroom and giving the always subtly expressive Ruffalo a moment of quiet introspection would do the trick.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vivid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivid. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vivid

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