Definition of vividnext

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 vivid pink tones of Fuchsia Fizz become surprisingly wearable once diffused with the soft matte warmth of the Hyper Bronzer. Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 In the dark underworld of New Orleans, the Winters family builds an empire around a powerful new drug—crafted from the ashes of the dead—that grants users vivid, haunting visions of the past. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026 Within days of the pool being refilled on June 9, patches of vivid green algae bloomed across the surface, particularly near the Lincoln and World War II memorials. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026 This oil-on-canvas rendering of the Battle of Gettysburg stretches 42 feet high and 377 feet in circumference, taking up a whole room for an immersive viewing experience in vivid color. Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026 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  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026
  • The cameras were allowed, but the judge prevented them from capturing some of the graphic footage that was played in court.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • Ospreay got descriptive about his post-wedding activities before Swerve Strickland interrupted him.
    Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Marcus Lee, an African American Studies professor at Princeton University, often tells his students that descriptive representation differs from substantive representation.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • This college town offers both a picturesque campus and a walkable downtown area.
    Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
  • The couple tied the knot in a picturesque garden ceremony in Saint-Tropez and Anderson was there to walk her sun down the aisle.
    Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 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
Adjective
  • Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, known for her expressive vocals, died at age 27 from alcohol poisoning.
    USA Today, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vivid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vivid. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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