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

Vast expanses of glass frame picturesque views of the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025

The show is set in the picturesque Turkish region of Cappadocia, famous for its rock formations and now a huge tourist destination. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025

This picturesque tourist destination, with its challenging geography and traffic issues, provides an ideal testing ground for the technology. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025

She’s already hosted author signings, book clubs and mixers for Colorado romance writers and is fielding requests from boudoir photographers to use the picturesque building as a photo backdrop. —Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025