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

Examples 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 Also tossed in are picturesque but gratuitous use of famous tourist landmarks as background, near-superheroic training montages, credible intimate character dynamics, a ruthless villain (Johan Heldenbergh as Vanaken) and action that in the home stretch goes absurdly over-the-top. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025 Crystal Scott grew up playing in the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains, but her home at the base of the mountains was one of thousands destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Tom Hanson, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 The passage is so picturesque that famous photographers like Slim Aarons and Gray Malin have photographed it. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025 The park’s second volcano, the inactive Chato Volcano collapsed thousands of years ago, creating a picturesque turquoise lagoon in its crater. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for picturesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • The bold and vivid blue may be the most noticeable change to shoppers.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Paying homage to the rich ecosystem, each chair back tells a story through vivid local wildlife photography.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 17 Jan. 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  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Jack Schnedler, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In the photos, Martin went for comfort-casual in a long-sleeved gray shirt, black pants and white sneakers, complete with a black graphic baseball cap.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Did working with great artists over the years, like Kevin O’Neill in League, influence your descriptive writing?
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Considering the Republican National Committee has filed more than 130 nationwide, and only did four of those seven, a drop in the bucket might be more accurately descriptive.
    Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picturesque. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!