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 of picturesque in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web According to Our Readers By Caitlin Morton These Are the Most Powerful Passports in the World By Amber Port Amy Adams as Julie Powell in Ephron's Julie & Julia, serving a picturesque meal to a happy dinner party on a Queens rooftop. Ilana Kaplan, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2024 Goldfinger At any rate, aside from avoiding customs, the cinematic Phantom played a pivotal role in the film as Bond plants a tracking device on the limo and tails it across the picturesque Continental mountain roads that Fleming drove over on his holidays for decades. David Szondy, New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2024 Today’s visit is taking place at a ranch owned by Chock’s friend Roger, who graciously let production use his picturesque midwestern land for the shoot. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Tourists from within the region visit the county’s picturesque and semirural towns on weekends, and senior citizens from Milwaukee and Chicago move to it to retire. Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for picturesque 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picturesque
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the makeup and hairstyling teams shine, with Elphaba’s vivid green skin and Glinda’s signature blonde curls popping on the big screen.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Women with invisible illnesses have long been accused of having nothing more than a vivid imagination.
    Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
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.
    Jason Bennett, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Popular on Variety Be aware, however, of the extremely graphic nature of the footage that interjects these personal essays.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Vehicle names don’t come much more descriptive than the Biturbo.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
  • My medical invoices had descriptive line items and when placed next to photos of the mouldy air-conditioning units, told a plain story of cause and effect.
    Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picturesque. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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